GENEVA — Ontario County’s third Salvatore’s Pizzeria has opened in the former location of Pizza Hut, which closed several years ago.
Salvatore’s said the new location at 812 Canandaigua Road (Routes 5&20) features dine-in seating with giant TVs, beer and wine, and a large slice display.
The location’s owner/operator is Ameer Alsaffar, who also owns and operates the Salvatore’s Pizza location on North Main Street in Canandaigua.
“I am so excited to open my second Salvatore’s location and bring Salvatore’s famous full menu to Geneva,” Alsaffar said in a press release. “I owe a huge thank you to my supportive Uncle Ed and the Salvatore’s Family for guiding me through this process.”
Salvatore’s said Alsaffar has been affiliated with the company for more than 10 years and has been the owner/operator of the Canandaigua location for the past four years. He previously managed the Chili location.
Salvatore’s said Alsaffar is “a perfect example” of the pizza chain’s career-advancement system; he started as a delivery driver in 2015.
“Salvatore’s is no stranger to providing job opportunities, and we are always looking to add to our amazing part-time or full-time staff,” Ameer said. “Or operate your very own location and take control of your destiny like me.”
Salvatore’s Pizza was started by Salvatore “SoccerSam” Fantauzzo in 1978 and marked its 47th year this past summer.
Salvatore’s noted that this is the company’s first conversion of a former Pizza Hut building.
“We all went to Pizza Hut throughout the ’70s and ’80s, and even took my wife on dates to the one on East Ridge Road (in Rochester) back in the day,” Fantauzzo said. “We don’t look at Pizza Hut as a competitor today, but we honor the history of one of the original pizza chains and the first to have iconic buildings.”
However, Fantauzzo noted a big change: The Geneva location’s iconic roof has been painted hot pink.
Dining and Cooking