VIRGINIA BEACH — Chief Petty Officer Andrew Schneider was 14 years old when he got his first job making pizza’s for Marco’s Pizza in Toledo, Ohio.
That was about 26 years ago, but as Schneider prepares to retire from more than two decades in the Navy, he finds himself back where it all started.
“I actually got the job from the founder of Marco’s, Pat Giammarco,” Schneider said. “He’s a very good family friend of ours. My grandparents and his grandparents and family are from the same town in Italy.”
Schneider, 40, along with help from his friend and business partner, Kevin Stansick, opened their own Marco’s on June 11 in Virginia Beach at 1621 Independence Blvd.
During his time in the military, Schneider said he would brag to his colleagues about Marco’s serving “the best pizza” he had ever had, but it wasn’t until he saw a franchise in Virginia that the idea to open his own sprouted.
“I told my wife ‘I haven’t had a pizza in 20 years, but if this is as good as it was, I’ll open a franchise,’ thinking there was no way and guess what… I’m a franchisee,” Scheider said.
Just two months out from retiring from the Navy after a 22-year career, Schneider teamed up with Stansick, who is retired from the service as well.
After 25 years in the Navy, Schneider said, his partner was ready for a new chapter after his retirement.
Since opening, Schneider said their restaurant has received positive feedback from customers, which he attributed to the fresh taste and the great service that he and his staff provide.
“You’re creating something from the beginning, and then you’re making it all the way until the end where you get the final product from the oven, and you get to hand it to the customers,” he said. “One of the key things that we do for the customer who comes in to pick up a pizza is we hold the door open.”
With the leadership skills he built during his naval career, Schneider said he uses that to help him run the shop motivate his employees.
Schneider added that he often uses his story with the pizza shop to encourage his young employees on the importance of hard work.
“I tell everyone that I hire ‘I started where you’re at and 26 years later I’m on my own,'” he said.
While he serves in management now, Schneider said that he finds himself reliving the old days in the kitchen, especially during the weekend dinner rush.
“My passion is actually making the pizza, so I go in there and stretch the dough and make the pizza.” he said.
This is the first location that Schneider and Stanswick have opened, but it may not be their last, as Schneider said the duo are looking to open more stores in the future.
Marco’s Pizza is open from 11 a.m to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
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