About Bertucci’s: Our Story
Bertucci’s began with a passion for real Italian food and a commitment to gathering people around the table. Our story is rooted in Bertucci’s history, which started in 1981 with a brick-oven in Somerville, Massachusetts. Since then, we’ve grown while staying true to our Italian restaurant origins, where handcrafted meals, warm hospitality, and community come first. Our signature brick-oven tradition brings bold flavor and timeless technique to every dish, all served in the spirit of family-style Italian dining.
A Legacy of Classic Italian Food
Bertucci’s history begins in 1981 in Davis Square, Somerville, Massachusetts, where the very first kitchen opened its doors. Inspired by traditional Italian restaurant origins and family recipes, founder Joey Crugnale placed a custom-built brick-oven at the heart of the restaurant—establishing the brick-oven tradition that defines Bertucci’s to this day. Every meal was made to order using fresh, high-quality ingredients, and that commitment continues across all Bertucci’s locations.
Over the years, we’ve perfected the art of open-kitchen, brick-oven cooking. Our restaurants—now serving guests from New England to Virginia—remain dedicated to the same principles of authenticity, simplicity, and hospitality. Whether you’re here for a weeknight pizza or a weekend celebration, Bertucci’s offers family-style Italian dining in a warm and welcoming environment. Want to explore more about our roots? Scroll down to discover milestones in Bertucci’s story through the years.
Made Fresh, Served with Tradition
At Bertucci’s, every dish starts with fresh, house-prepared ingredients. Our chefs make dough from scratch and allow it the proper time to rise, while our famous tomato sauces are crafted daily from a custom blend of California-grown tomatoes and hand-cut herbs. These sauces are made exclusively for us, blended and packed to our exact specifications.
We prepare our vegetables fresh each morning and roast them in small batches to bring out their full flavor—especially when featured on our handcrafted brick-oven pizzas. From signature garlic knots to our freshly baked rolls, every detail reflects our belief in authentic, family-style Italian dining made from the heart.
Explore our Menus or find your nearest Location to enjoy a meal that’s always made from scratch.
The Brick Oven Difference
Why do we rely on brick-ovens? The answer is simple: flavor, consistency, and tradition. Bertucci’s carries forward the brick-oven tradition that Italian restaurants have embraced for centuries. Our ovens reach temperatures over 675°F, with flame radiance nearing 1150°F. This intense heat seals in natural flavor and creates perfect textures—from our artisan pizzas to roasted vegetables and seafood.
Our chefs are experts in the craft of brick-oven cooking, combining technique with passion in every dish. You’ll taste that difference in favorites like Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Rustica, and Shrimp Rossini—each one enhanced by flame and finished with care. Every dish we serve is a reflection of Bertucci’s history and our time-honored commitment to handcrafted Italian cuisine.
Bertucci’s Through the Years
1981
Inspired by his grandmother’s home in Italy, entrepreneur Joey Crugnale opened the first Bertucci’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Davis Square. With a brick-oven at its center and a bocce court in the basement, the restaurant quickly became a neighborhood favorite for its authentic Italian food and community feel.
1985
The second Bertucci’s opened in Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA, followed soon after by a third in Holliston, MA.
1989
Bertucci’s celebrated the opening of its 14th location. That same year, USA Today recognized the brand as one of America’s top 10 pizza restaurants.
1990s
The Bertucci’s name expanded beyond Massachusetts, with new restaurants opening across the East Coast and as far west as Illinois.
2011
In celebration of our 30th anniversary, Bertucci’s brought back classic menu items from the early days to honor the restaurant’s origins and continued growth.
2021
Bertucci’s turned 40. Locations from New Hampshire to Virginia continue to honor Joey’s original vision—fresh ingredients, a warm welcome, and a brick-oven at the heart of every kitchen.
2022
We announced a new culinary partnership with Chef Christian Petroni. Known for bold Italian flavors and creative recipes, Chef Petroni introduced new items to the Bertucci’s menu while preserving the brand’s Italian restaurant origins.
2024
Bertucci’s earned the People’s Choice Award at the Boston Pizza Festival. This honor reflects our ongoing commitment to serving the best brick-oven pizza in town—and to being part of your family’s story for generations.
Frequently Asked Questions
At the center of every Bertucci’s lives our Italian brick-oven. For over 40 years, since our first kitchen opened in the Davis Square neighborhood of Somerville, MA in 1981, we’ve been perfecting the art of brick-oven cooking. From the beginning, we’ve built a tradition of creating unique pizzas and pasta combinations using only the freshest ingredients, and we take the time to make each by hand.
Today, Bertucci’s restaurants are firing up brick-ovens from New England to Virginia, each reflecting the distinct character and local charm of their community. But like the original Bertucci’s, every kitchen is also open, making our brick-oven part of the restaurant experience. We believe that watching your Italian food being prepared is an integral part to enjoying it. With a strong and dedicated commitment to hospitality, we welcome you as our guest, and we promise to always treat you as part of the Bertucci’s family.
Bertucci’s headquarters are located in Boston, MA and operates in 11 east coast states from New Hampshire to Virginia. Read more about Bertucci’s Italian Restaurants through the years.
Bertucci’s Italian Restaurants are owned and operated by Earl Enterprises, a recognized leader in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, building innovative, sustainable brands that guests can enjoy today and in the future.
Our recipes are very special to us. Many have been part of Bertucci’s since we began in 1981. We are happy to share ingredients and inspiration for our classic Italian food menu items and we also welcome your feedback. Contact us.
Bertucci’s is collecting information from interested parties. Please send your request in writing to the address below. Be sure to include your name, mailing address, and the requested area for the franchise. When we begin searching for franchisees, we will be in touch with you.
Bertucci’s Corporation Franchise Department
155 Otis Street
Northborough, MA 01532