Authentic Neapolitan pizza cravings sparked an idea. This led to the birth of Pupatella. In 2007, Enzo Algarme, a Naples native, missed the true taste of home. He couldn’t find it in the United States. So he created it himself.
Pupatella began as a humble food cart. It was located in Arlington, Virginia. Enzo sold pizzas to eager crowds. He shared the flavors of his childhood with the community. The food cart became incredibly popular.
In 2010, Enzo and his wife Anastasiya took a chance. They leased a small restaurant space in Arlington. Pupatella’s success continued. Lines formed outside the door from day one. People loved its authenticity. They also appreciated its “back to the basics” approach.
Pupatella follows centuries-old Neapolitan traditions. It does not offer “Neapolitan-inspired” pizza. It serves true Neapolitan pizza. Pupatella proudly holds a VPN certification. This designation comes from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana in Naples.
To earn this certification, pizzas must meet strict standards. They must be made using a 200-year-old technique. Only wood-fired ovens are allowed. The dough contains just four ingredients. These are 00 Italian flour, sea salt, fresh yeast, and water.
D.O.C. pizza toppings follow strict guidelines. The sauce must come from San Marzano tomatoes grown in Italy. Fresh cherry tomatoes are essential. Fresh mozzarella made with buffalo milk or fior di latte is required. Sea salt, fresh basil, and olive oil complete the pizza.
Pupatella focuses on quality and simplicity. It emphasizes tradition. This focus has made it a beloved spot in the Washington, DC area. It has earned many “Best Of…” awards. Pupatella also boasts top ratings on Yelp. It has over 1,300 reviews.
Pupatella is known for fast service. Its prices are affordable too. It offers classic artisan food. Guests enjoy Pupatella’s casual atmosphere. It is perfect for family outings and romantic date nights.
Pupatella’s success has led to expansion. Enzo and Anastasiya partnered with experienced restaurant executives. Together they launched Pupatella Enterprises. This growth company aims to bring Pupatella to new communities. They plan to expand through corporate and franchise development.
Pupatella Enterprises combines experts in various fields. These include franchising, real estate, and supply chain. The team also includes experts in training and operations. Pupatella hired HapstakDemetriou+, a respected architecture firm. This firm has worked with Cava Grill and &Pizza.
Pupatella is opening its doors to investors and franchisees. They seek partners who share their respect for quality and tradition. Ideal franchise partners should have restaurant experience. They also need a passion for executing a proven system.
Pupatella aims to be a top-quality pizzeria. It strives to offer an approachable and comfortable experience. They want to bring top-quality pizza to neighborhoods. People should not have to drive into DC to get it. Pupatella brings this style of pizza to communities. It offers something that they may have never had before.
Pupatella is experimenting with different service models. Most locations offer counter service. However, some are testing a full-service model. Pupatella believes a casual-dining setup helps explain its story in new markets. It also helps manage the line.
Pupatella continues to build within the DMV market. The brand secured financing to open more locations. It is focusing on areas from Baltimore to Gainesville, Virginia. Pupatella targets spaces with 2,500 to 2,800 square feet. Each location has around 80-100 indoor seats. There are also about 50 outdoor seats.