John Soranno
Co-Founder & CEOA lifelong pizza enthusiast who fell in love with Neapolitan craft during a trip to Naples. John leads the vision and ensures every location stays true to the original spirit.
Our Story
Crafted With Passion
From a wood-fired oven in Naples to the heart of Minneapolis — every slice tells our story.
2009
Est. Minneapolis
Our Beginning
Where Every Pizza
Where Every Pizza
Starts With a Story
Punch Pizza was born in 2009 from a simple obsession: making the most authentic Neapolitan pizza Minneapolis had ever tasted. Founders John and Maria Soranno had just returned from a life-changing trip to Naples, where they fell in love with the art of pizza crafted in blazing 900°F wood-fired ovens with just a handful of exceptional ingredients.
Opening their first small shop on West Lake Street, they imported San Marzano tomatoes directly from Italy, sourced the finest fresh mozzarella, and built a custom wood-burning oven that could reach temperatures most pizzerias only dream of. Word spread fast. Within a year, lines wrapped around the block.
- Certified Neapolitan pizza-making techniques
- Imported Italian San Marzano tomatoes & '00' flour
- Wood-fired ovens baking at 900°F for 90 seconds
- Fresh, locally sourced toppings whenever possible
What Drives Us
Our Mission & Vision
We believe great pizza is more than food — it's a moment of pure joy, shared with people you love.
Authenticity First
We follow Neapolitan traditions precisely — from 72-hour cold-fermented dough to hand-crushed tomatoes and a blistering wood-fired finish.
Ingredient Integrity
Every ingredient is chosen with intention. We source locally where possible, import where necessary, and never compromise on quality for cost.
Community Roots
Punch Pizza grew up in Minneapolis and gives back to it — through partnerships with local farms, school fundraisers, and neighborhood events.
Joyful Dining
We pour warmth into every experience — from the moment you walk in to the last bite. Pizza is best when it's shared, and we make that easy.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
These values aren't statements on a wall — they guide every decision we make, from sourcing ingredients to training our team.
Uncompromising Quality
We never cut corners. Every pizza meets our rigorous standards before it reaches your table — no exceptions, no shortcuts.
Honest Hospitality
We treat every guest like a neighbor — with genuine warmth, transparency about our ingredients, and service that feels effortless.
Sustainable Practices
From compostable packaging to reducing food waste, we're committed to being a responsible business for future generations.
Continuous Innovation
We honor tradition while staying curious — experimenting with seasonal specials, new flavors, and better ways to delight our guests.
Our Journey
A Decade of Craft
From a single oven on West Lake Street to a beloved Minneapolis institution — here's how we got here.
2009
The First Oven is Lit
John and Maria Soranno open the original Punch Pizza on West Lake Street with a single wood-fired oven and a dream of bringing Naples to Minneapolis. The 60-seat restaurant sells out on opening night.
2011
Award-Winning Recognition
Punch Pizza earns its first "Best Pizza in Minneapolis" award from City Pages. Food critics from the Star Tribune call it "the most authentic Neapolitan pizza in the Midwest." A second location opens in St. Paul.
2013
Growing the Family
We expand to four locations across the Twin Cities metro. Our team grows to over 80 people, and we launch our first community partnership program with local urban farms supplying fresh produce.
2016
VPN Certification Achieved
Punch Pizza receives Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) certification — one of fewer than 100 pizzerias in the United States to earn this prestigious distinction for adherence to authentic Neapolitan standards.
2019
10th Anniversary & Expansion
Celebrating a decade of craft, we open our flagship restaurant in downtown Minneapolis — featuring an open kitchen, a private dining room, and our largest wood-fired oven yet. Seven locations now serve the community.
2024
The Story Continues
Over 120,000 pizzas served, 4.9-star average rating across all platforms, and a team of 200+ passionate people. We're launching our franchise program to bring authentic Punch Pizza to communities beyond the Twin Cities.
The People Behind the Pizza
Meet Our Team
Every great pizza is made by passionate people. Here are the faces who bring Punch Pizza to life every single day.
Maria Soranno
Co-Founder & OperationsMaria is the operational heartbeat of Punch Pizza. With a background in hospitality management, she built the systems that let every location deliver consistent excellence.
Marco Ricci
Head PizzaioloBorn and raised in Naples, Marco trained under legendary pizzaiolo Enzo Coccia. He's the guardian of our dough recipes and the trainer who shapes every chef who joins our team.
Aisha Brooks
Community DirectorAisha leads our community partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and local sourcing programs. She ensures Punch Pizza gives back as much as it takes from the neighborhoods we call home.
Passionate about food? We're always looking for talented people to join our team.
Join Our Team