America's First Pizza Chain Is Still Serving Pies Decades Later

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America's First Pizza Chain Is Still Serving Pies Decades Later

From big-name chains to small mom-and-pop shops, there are thousands of pizza restaurants in the United States. It's natural to assume that a household name like Domino's or Pizza Hut was the first chain to establish itself in the country — after all, fast food chains like these make up over 50% of the pizza market. America's first pizza chain, however, is one you may have never even heard of before. Still operational today, Shakey's Pizza holds the title of America's first pizza chain.

Founded in 1954 by Sherwood "Shakey" Johnson and business partner Ed Plummer, the first Shakey's Pizza Parlor opened in Sacramento, California, on 57th and J Street. The name "Shakey's" has a backstory — Johnson was ni