Founded in 1982

Piccola Italia first opened its doors on April 8, 1982, by owner Frank Amato. Frank was born and raised in Palermo, Sicily where he learned about the ethics of business early on. As a young boy Frank sold fish and gelato on the streets of his home town to help support his family. He learned his cooking skills and recipes for sauces and dough from his mother and while serving in the Italian army, where he cooked. Frank immigrated to the USA in the 70’s. He started out in construction in New York, but his passion was for cooking. He learned how to make pizza and opened his first restaurant in Pennsylvania. Frank fell in love with North Carolina while on vacation here and so decided to make it his home. He opened Frank’s Pizza in Longview Shopping Center and eventually sold it once he opened Piccola Italia in 1982.