John Puckett
Co-Founder & Exec. Chef
Trained in Naples alongside VPN-certified masters, John brought the soul of authentic pizza to Minneapolis and has never looked back.
Our Story
Crafted With Passion.
Crafted With Passion.
Served With Pride.
From a single wood-fired oven in Minneapolis to a beloved neighborhood institution — Punch Pizza has been bringing the true taste of Naples to the Midwest since 1996.
28+
Years of
Excellence
Excellence
Our Story
How It All
How It All
Began
Punch Pizza was born in 1996 when founders John Puckett and Kathryn Sansone returned from a trip to Naples, Italy, forever changed. They had tasted pizza in its purest form — thin, charred, chewy, made with only the finest ingredients — and knew they had to bring that experience to Minneapolis.
Opening their first location in Highland Park, St. Paul, the pair imported a custom-built wood-fired oven from Naples and sourced the same San Marzano tomatoes and 00 flour that Neapolitan masters had used for centuries. The response was immediate and overwhelming.
Today, Punch Pizza operates multiple locations across the Twin Cities, but our commitment has never wavered: every pizza is still hand-stretched, fired in a 900°F wood-burning oven, and built on a foundation of genuine love for the craft.
View Our Menu
What We Stand For
Mission, Vision & Promise
Everything we do flows from three core commitments that guide our kitchens, our teams, and our community relationships.
Our Mission
To serve the most authentic Neapolitan pizza outside of Naples — using traditional methods, premium ingredients, and the kind of care that turns a meal into a memory.
Our Vision
To be the most trusted and beloved pizza destination in the Midwest — a place where neighbors gather, families celebrate, and every guest leaves happier than when they arrived.
Our Promise
We promise never to compromise on quality. Every dough ball is made fresh daily, every sauce crafted from scratch, and every pizza checked before it reaches your table.
Core Values
The Principles
The Principles
Behind Every Slice
01
Uncompromising Quality
We source only the finest ingredients — Caputo 00 flour, San Marzano DOP tomatoes, fresh-pulled fior di latte — because the best pizza starts long before it reaches the oven.
02
Authentic Tradition
We follow the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana standards — the same techniques perfected in Naples over 200 years. No shortcuts, no substitutes.
03
Community First
We are proud Minneapolitans. We source local produce where possible, support neighborhood initiatives, and treat every guest like a regular, even on their first visit.
04
Respect & Hospitality
From our kitchen crew to our servers, we foster a culture of warmth, respect, and genuine hospitality that extends from our team to every person who walks through our doors.
Our Journey
A Legacy Built
A Legacy Built
One Pizza at a Time
1996
1996
The First Oven Fires Up
John Puckett and Kathryn Sansone open the original Punch Pizza in Highland Park, St. Paul, importing a wood-fired oven directly from Naples, Italy.
2000
2000
A Second Location Opens
Driven by growing demand and a loyal Twin Cities following, Punch Pizza expands to its second location, bringing Neapolitan pizza to more neighborhoods.
2007
2007
VPN Certification Earned
Punch Pizza receives official certification from the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana — one of the first restaurants in the Midwest to earn this prestigious honor.
2012
2012
Minneapolis Downtown Arrives
The downtown Minneapolis location opens, welcoming office workers, visitors, and city dwellers to the Punch Pizza experience right in the heart of the city.
2018
2018
Catering & Events Launch
Punch Pizza launches its dedicated catering service, bringing the wood-fired experience to corporate events, weddings, and community gatherings across the Twin Cities.
2024
2024
Online Ordering Goes Live
Punch Pizza launches its new digital ordering platform, making it easier than ever for guests to order their favorite pies for pickup or delivery from any device.
The People Behind the Pizza
Meet Our Team
Our talented crew brings decades of culinary experience, genuine passion, and an unwavering love of great pizza to work every day.
Kathryn Sansone
Co-Founder & Operations
Kathryn's vision for warm hospitality and community connection shapes every dining experience at every Punch Pizza location.
Marco Ricci
Head Pizzaiolo
Born in Napoli, Marco perfected his craft at Pizzeria Da Michele before joining Punch. He hand-stretches every dough ball with unmatched precision.
Sofia Reyes
Pastry & Dessert Chef
Sofia trained at Le Cordon Bleu and brings French-Italian finesse to Punch's dessert menu, from tiramisu to seasonal cannoli.
Ready to Taste
the Difference?
Come visit us in Minneapolis or order online — your perfect Neapolitan pizza is just a few clicks away.
FIND US
210 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55414
CALL US
HOURS
Mon–Thu: 11am – 9pm
Fri–Sat: 11am – 10pm