Our Story

More Than a Meal,
A Tradition

Decades of passion, quality ingredients, and community love — that's what Davanni's is made of.

How Davanni's Was Born

Davanni's was founded with a simple but powerful belief: great food brings people together. What started as a single neighborhood restaurant in Minnesota has grown into a beloved local institution, serving handcrafted pizzas, hoagies, and pasta dishes that have been perfecting people's dining experiences for decades.

Every recipe at Davanni's carries the spirit of its founders — a relentless pursuit of flavor, an insistence on fresh, quality ingredients, and a heartfelt commitment to the communities we serve. From our hand-tossed dough made fresh daily to our signature sauces simmered low and slow, every detail matters.

We're not just a restaurant. We're a gathering place where families celebrate milestones, friends reconnect, and neighbors become regulars. That's the Davanni's way — and it always will be.

"We believe that the best food is made with love, shared with friends, and remembered for a lifetime."

— The Davanni's Family

Our Core Values

These principles guide every decision we make, every dish we create, and every guest we welcome through our doors.

Fresh Ingredients

We source only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients — because great food starts with great produce, and our guests deserve nothing less.

Made with Love

Every pizza, every hoagie, every bowl of pasta is prepared with genuine care. Our team pours passion into everything that leaves our kitchen.

Community First

We're deeply rooted in our local neighborhoods. Supporting schools, events, and families isn't just something we do — it's who we are.

Consistent Quality

Whether it's your first visit or your thousandth, you'll always get the same delicious, reliable Davanni's experience you know and love.

To Feed Every Community with Heart

Our mission at Davanni's is to bring people together through the simple joy of exceptional food. We strive to create meals that nourish both body and spirit — prepared with integrity, served with warmth, and enjoyed by everyone who walks through our doors.

We are committed to being a positive force in every neighborhood we serve, providing not just great food but meaningful experiences that build lasting connections.

40+ Years in Business
10+ Locations
500K+ Happy Guests
100% Fresh Daily

A History of Flavor

From our humble beginnings to the beloved institution we are today, here's a look at our milestones over the years.

1975

The First Location Opens

Davanni's opened its very first restaurant in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, serving authentic Italian-style pizzas and hoagies to local families. The community response was immediate and overwhelming.

1983

Expanding Across Minnesota

After nearly a decade of packed dining rooms and loyal regulars, Davanni's began expanding to additional locations across the Twin Cities metro, bringing our handcrafted recipes to more neighborhoods.

1995

Community Catering Program Launches

Recognizing how central we'd become to local events, Davanni's officially launched its catering program — helping schools, businesses, and families make every gathering memorable with our signature food.

2005

Menu Innovation & Fan Favorites

A decade of recipe refinement brought several new menu additions that quickly became fan favorites — from our specialty hoagies to seasonal pasta dishes crafted with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

2015

Online Ordering & Digital Presence

Embracing the digital age, Davanni's launched online ordering — making it easier than ever for guests to enjoy our food at home. Our digital presence grew rapidly alongside our loyal customer base.

Today

Still Serving with Heart

With over four decades of history and thousands of satisfied guests, Davanni's remains committed to the same values that started it all — fresh ingredients, genuine hospitality, and food made with love for every family we serve.

Meet Our Team

Passionate, dedicated, and deeply rooted in the communities we serve — meet the people who make Davanni's what it is every single day.

Portrait of Marcus Davanni, Founder and CEO

Marcus Davanni

Founder & CEO

With over 40 years in the restaurant industry, Marcus founded Davanni's on a dream of bringing authentic Italian-American flavors to Minnesota families. His passion for food and community never wavers.

Portrait of Sofia Reyes, Head Chef

Sofia Reyes

Head Chef

Sofia trained in Italy and brings authentic Mediterranean cooking techniques to Davanni's kitchen. She leads our culinary team with creativity, precision, and an unwavering commitment to freshness.

Portrait of James Thornton, Operations Manager

James Thornton

Operations Manager

James ensures that every Davanni's location runs like a well-oiled machine. His meticulous approach to operations means every guest gets a consistently excellent experience every time they visit.

Portrait of Aisha Monroe, Community Relations Director

Aisha Monroe

Community Relations

Aisha is the heart of Davanni's community outreach. She oversees our catering partnerships, school programs, and neighborhood events — making sure Davanni's gives back as much as we receive.

Ready to Taste the Tradition?

Experience the flavors that have made Davanni's a household name for over four decades. Order now and taste the difference that passion and quality make.