Meet the Boys behind the
Legend

The story begins in 2004, when a small town independent pizzeria called Little Local Pizzeria approached a big city supplier called "The Huge Supplier" for supply of ingredients into their store. "The Huge Supplier" who normally supplied huge national corporate franchises invited Little Local Pizzeria to their head office in Melbourne CBD for the prospect of supply.

Little Local Pizzeria was very excited and felt privileged about the prospect of being supplied by a large big city supplier as they stocked a huge range of ingredients at very competitive pricing.

Upon arriving at the head office of "The Huge Supplier", Little Local Pizzeria couldn't help the feeling of being overwhelmed with the sheer size and stature of the facilities it had just entered. There was marble in the entrance, shine from the gold plated stair railings and even a professional looking lady at the front desk with the lovely name tag "Reception". It really was a special day for Little Local Pizzeria.

After politely waiting 1 hour and 25 minutes to be seen by "The Huge Supplier", Little Local Pizzeria was finally invited in to the board room that the lovely young lady "Reception" led him too. The board room was like nothing it had ever seen. It looked as if it was fit for a king. There were many seats and the table extended beyond sight. Seated at the far end of the table were 3 men all impressively dressed in dark black designer suits. One of the men yelled "SIT DOWN" from across the room.

Little Local Pizzeria sat down at the lonely end of the table and was excited about the opportunity approaching but couldn't help feeling a little intimidated by the surroundings. After trying to break the ice with a few jokes to the executives across the table, Little Local Pizzeria was told "We will not be servicing your store. We prefer to service large corporate franchises which are able to enjoy the fruits of our supply, service and incredibly sharp pricing as they have the bulk buying power that you as a little unknown country independent do not have. Join and become a franchisee of a large chain or get back on your horse and don't waste our time again! HAHAHA" They laughed.

Confused and deeply embarrassed at the treatment by these executives Little Local Pizzeria stood up and before walking out the door, stared them straight in the eyes and said "cheers to that Australian spirit of everyone deserves a fair go hey" and walked out.

Little Local Pizzeria got on his horse and headed on the 4 hour trip back home.

No one heard from Little Local Pizzeria for 4 years and then……in January of 2009

A huge influx of brochures with the label 131 PIZZA started appearing everywhere. These brochures were appealing to independent pizzerias across Australia to join forces so that they may be given the same benefits and opportunities that the large corporate chains receive.

The interest was huge and there were quality local independents applying from all over Australia. These joining stores felt this was also their only chance to be able to compete on the same level playing field as the large corporate chains. These local independents loved the idea of having access to 131 Pizza as it made them more accessible to the national consumer market just like the big chains.

Suppliers of products and services all over Australia were trying to make contact with this 131 PIZZA but no one knew the identity of the creator. One supplier was contacted by 131 PIZZA and was invited to the office of 131 PIZZA.

Emil & Paul first met back in 1988 in Grade 5 where they attended primary school together. The then fairly lanky Emil simply asked Paul who he 'barracked' for, to which Paul replied "the Blues". And the rest as they say in history!

The office of 131 PIZZA was only small and in no way hugely impressive but their motto that "everyone deserves a fair go" was very prominent on the wall of the entrance and remarkably understood by so many independent stores.

The day the supplier arrived at the office of 131 PIZZA the executives from the company made snaring remarks at the size and look of the premises. The executives pressed the bell for invitation up to the office and when asked who's there they replied "let us in we are from The Huge Supplier" and they were buzzed in.

The executives walked in hastily and went straight in into the office (without knocking) of the creator of 131 Pizza.

The 3 executives from "The Huge Supplier" without letting the creator utter a word yelled out "Why were we not informed of this concept. We should have been told before anyone, we are the HUGE SUPPLIER!"

The creator said do you want to supply the group? "Yes and so we should" was the answer from the executives. "We can guarantee the same level of service, pencil sharp pricing and product range that the major corporate chains enjoy the fruits of."

Then the words came that everybody was waiting for: "I am sorry but we are only local independent pizzerias and not a corporate franchise and we are not in a position to buy from a supplier that does not believe in the Aussie Spirit that everyone deserves a fair go. So you will not be supplying us".

Those words about the Aussie Spirit pounded down into the ears of the executives when it hit them. "What no, it couldn't be could it?"

Little Local Pizza the creator of
131 PIZZA, NO WAY!!!!

"Your local independent pizzerias will never enjoy the benefits and success that our corporate chains receive, NEVER!"

"Well, We will have a red hot crack as that's the Australian way".

131 Pizza members are the true taste of Pizza!