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Sunday, May 26, 2024

Lou Malnati's Pizzeria History. (1971—Present)

Lou Malnati's Deep Dish Pizza



Lou and Jean Malnati founded Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Lincolnwood, IL, on March 17, 1971. The restaurant thrived despite a car crashing through the dining room wall on opening day.

Expansion followed, but the third location in Flossmoor faced logistical challenges (50 miles from Lincolnwood HQ), leading to temporary closure. Lou's son Marc joined Jean, and they overcame obstacles, upholding the family's tradition of excellence.
Lou Malnati's Pizza Slice.


The Malnatis have been dedicated to giving back and hosting annual charity events, including Lou Malnati's Cancer Research Benefit, which has raised over $3.5 million for cancer research. The family's legacy continues to inspire, and their beloved pizzerias remain a beacon of warmth and community.

In the 2000s, Lou Malnati expanded nationwide with its "Priority Pizza" mail-order venture, partnering with iconic Chicago brands. It opened new locations, including its first out-of-state pizzeria in Phoenix in 2016, followed by locations in Indiana and Wisconsin.

With over 3,500 employees, Lou Malnati's is recognized as one of the Chicago Tribune's Top 100 Places to Work and a National Top Workplace. They continue to grow, exploring new markets and providing opportunities for their team to succeed. The spirit of generosity lives on through events like the annual Cancer Research Benefit and Thanksgiving food basket drive.

What Makes Lou Malnati's Special?
Lou Malnati's success comes from its commitment to quality. Every Lou Malnati pizza is handmade from scratch using the finest and freshest ingredients. The Malnati team hand-selects California vine-ripened tomatoes in California yearly for the perfect sweet and tangy taste. The exclusive sausage blend is seasoned to our exact specifications. The fresh mozzarella cheese comes from the same small dairy that has supplied Lou Malnati's for over 40 years. And our family's secret recipe for flaky, buttery crust has been passed down from generation to generation. You'll know with every bite that each pizza was made with care and special attention.



On A Personal Note:
From my dining experiences with dozens of popular and famous Chicagoland Pizza Restaurants, I know that only a few finer Pizzerias have their own sausage recipes to use in their restaurant. Pequod's had a local old Italian man make their recipe. It is the best sausage, better than I've ever had at any other pizza joint. Hands-Down! Who can vouch for my statement?

Lou Malnati's Location Opening Dates: 
  1. March 17, 1971: Lincolnwood
  2. November 16, 1971: Elk Grove Village
  3. January 3, 1977: Flossmoor
  4. June 22, 1981: Wilmette
  5. February 1, 1982: Northbrook
  6. October 22, 1985: Schaumburg
  7. May 5, 1986: Chicago – River North
  8. March 1, 1989: Buffalo Grove
  9. September 15, 1992: Mount Prospect
  10. February 14, 1994: Naperville – Downtown
  11. April 12, 1995: Highland Park
  12. November 8, 1995: Chicago – Lawndale
  13. April 15, 1996: Park Ridge
  14. October 1, 1996: Libertyville
  15. June 2, 1997: Elmhurst
  16. May 4, 1998: Palatine
  17. November 24, 1998: Chicago – Lincoln Park
  18. March 5, 1999: Carol Stream
  19. January 22, 2001: Schaumburg – Barrington Road
  20. February 14, 2001: Naperville – South 95th
  21. November 14, 2001: Bloomingdale
  22. May 8, 2003: Evanston
  23. January 13, 2005: Grayslake/Gurnee
  24. June 27, 2005: Western Springs
  25. October 24, 2005: Geneva
  26. April 6, 2007: Lake Zurich
  27. August 29, 2007: Lakewood
  28. August 16, 2007: Chicago – Bucktown/Wicker Park
  29. March 5, 2008: Lake Forest
  30. 2008: Chicago – South Loop
  31. March 26, 2009: Tinley Park
  32. September 30, 2010: Bolingbrook
  33. July 4, 2011: Chicago – Gold Coast
  34. February 28, 2011: Downers Grove
  35. April 12, 2012: Joliet/Shorewood
  36. November 8, 2012: Oak Lawn
  37. June 20, 2013: Elgin
  38. February 10, 2014: Oak Park
  39. September 25, 2014: Palos Heights
  40. October 20, 2014: Chicago – West Loop
  41. May 4, 2015: Chicago – Lincoln Square/North Center
  42. February 17, 2015: Oswego
  43. June 6, 2015: Harwood Heights
  44. August 21, 2015: Buzz Bait Taqueria
  45. November 4, 2015: Cary
  46. February 15, 2016: New Lenox
  47. March 17, 2016: Chicago – Old Irving/Six Corners
  48. 2016: Phoenix, AZ
  49. December 2019: Fox Point, WI
  50. January 2021: Greenfield, WI
  51. August 2022: Brookfield, WI
  52. August 2022: Oak Creek, WI
By Lou Malnati's Pizza Restaurants
Edited by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D. 

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