Our Story
Since 1985
What started in 1985 as a simple dream to bring authentic East Coast pizza to Willis, Texas has grown into a beloved community staple spanning four decades. Pizza Shack was founded by John and Claudia Simmons, and some of Claudia’s siblings, and received some menu help from John’s brother, Jim, a classically trained chef from NYC. (enter: Uncle Jim’s Bread Pudding!) The restaurant began in a modest house with little more than a KitchenAid mixer and a residential oven. An antique bathtub was filled with the salad bar (true story), and those early days were filled with a determination and commitment that continues to define us today.
From those humble beginnings, we've grown thoughtfully and deliberately. In 1997, we opened our first freestanding restaurant in Willis. By 2003, we expanded to Montgomery while launching a full-service catering division, Danello's. In 2017, Pizza Shack officially transitioned to the next generation when Michael Simmons purchased the family business and continues to actively lead it today. A new Montgomery location was opened in 2017, giving customers an enhanced dining experience while maintaining the warmth and quality they've come to expect.
Today, Pizza Shack remains proudly family-owned and operated. Whether it's a teenager working their first job or an OG from 1985, the Shack still has many family members involved throughout our operations. Among our original family members still with us are Linda, a manager at our Montgomery location, and Dave, who is General Manager of our Willis location. We're also blessed with dedicated employees who have been with us for many years—we consider them family, and they are invaluable to who we are. Our management team includes such long term employees: Chef Matt, Hector, Jon, Mike, Shelli and Thomas.
As we celebrate our 40th anniversary in November 2025, we're driven by our roots and our personal vision: to serve exceptional food with genuine hospitality, treat every guest like family, and our community like home. Looking ahead, we're excited to celebrate this milestone while continuing to invest in our future—from updating our original Willis location to finding new ways to serve our community. We're working to keep up with the world and changes within the restaurant industry while staying true to who we are. Whether you're stopping by for a quick bite or creating a lasting memory, we remain grateful that you've chosen Pizza Shack and look forward to many more decades together.
