The Journey of Castello's Pizza: From Visionary Dream to Resilient Brand

Castello’s Pizza was born in 2009 from a simple but ambitious dream: to build a pizza brand that could grow into a chain without ever sacrificing quality.

From the very beginning, the goal was clear—serve real food, made with care, and change the idea that pizza has to be junk food.

From Iceland to Florida: Where the Vision Began

The roots of Castello’s Pizza stretch far beyond Florida. The concept migrated from Iceland, shaped by international experience and a deep respect for quality ingredients and craftsmanship.

Castello’s was created through the partnership of Einar and Fabio—two people with different backgrounds, united by the same standard.

• Einar brought the vision, drive, and menu direction

• Fabio brought Italian-American experience, flavor balance, and hands-on execution

The original menu was developed by Italians, then carefully adapted to the American palate—keeping authenticity while embracing the local culture. The result was a blend of tradition, experience, and accessibility that defined Castello’s from day one.

Growing the Brand: 2009–2014

The early years were about building, learning, and expanding thoughtfully:

• 2009 – Castello’s Pizza is founded

• 2012 – Second location opens in South Orlando

• 08/06/2013 – Third location opens in Clermont

• 2014 – Fourth location opens in East Orlando

The mission stayed the same across every store:Use high-quality ingredients and give Floridians a better option.Pizza didn’t have to be fast food—it could be real food.

The Reality Check: Economy, Inflation, and COVID

Like many small businesses, Castello’s faced challenges that no one could fully prepare for.

Economic pressure, inflation, labor shortages—and then COVID-19.

The East Orlando and South Orlando locations were permanently closed. Their lives were short, but they were part of the journey.

What mattered most was survival.

COVID Years: Choosing the Community Over Comfort

The Windermere and Clermont locations stayed open—and not by chance.

Castello’s is run by a couple, with one partner dedicated to each store. During the COVID shutdowns, while many businesses closed their doors, Castello’s made a deliberate decision:

The best way to help the community was to keep serving good food.

There were days when:

• Fabio ran the Windermere store alone, from open to close

• His wife operated the Clermont location completely by herself

• There were no employees available

• Fear, uncertainty, and exhaustion were constant

But the doors stayed open. Safety was prioritized. The mission stayed intact.

Advertising stopped completely. Survival depended on loyal regular customers—and those customers kept Castello’s alive.

The Journey of Castello's Pizza: Rebuilding, Slowly and Intentionally

Recovering from COVID hasn’t been easy. The world changed, and adaptation became mandatory.

Castello’s is not yet where it was pre-pandemic—but the foundation is stronger.

In 2025, the decision was made to return to the market:

• Advertising restarted, little by little

• A new team began forming

• Systems, branding, and operations started evolving

The goal is no longer just recovery—it’s growth beyond pre-pandemic levels.

2026 and Beyond: A New Chapter

In 2026, Castello’s Pizza is entering a new phase.

The brand is being reshaped, refined, and evolved—while staying true to its roots:

• Quality ingredients

• Hands-on ownership

• Respect for food and community

• No shortcuts

The Journey of Castello's Pizza isn’t just about pizza.It’s about building something better, stronger, and more intentional than ever before.

Castello’s Pizza isn’t done yet. The best version is still coming