Since 1983, Zachary’s has been making award-winning pizza in the San Francisco Bay Area. When Zachary’s founders, Zach Zachowski and Barbara Gabel decided to retire, they handed the company over to the employees via an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). In 2010, Zachary’s became 100% employee owned.

Our employee owners are the mojo behind the madness. They make each of our restaurants unique, fun, and delicious.  You may recognize our latest spotlight as one of our Oaklandish t-shirt models, but usually Edwin Jimenez’s friendly smile can be found in the kitchens of San Ramon. After almost a decade with Zachary’s, Edwin has recently been promoted to kitchen supervisor, a position that reflects his dedication to great pizza and the amazing people that make Zachary’s—and the Bay—home.

Spotlight

Name: Edwin Jimenez

Hire Date: September 2010

Fave Pizza: Spinach and Mushroom

Fave Food: Pupusas and Tacos!

Current Location: Hayward

Home Restaurant: San Ramon

Zachary’s Claim to Fame: Edwin is known for his stellar reliability and sense of teamwork. He understands our success is based on the team, not the individual. He is a true team player in this regard, helping guide and direct our crew to be the best they can. His deep respect for his coworkers and the pride he takes in making perfect pizzas, make Edwin an all around employee-owner superstar!

Interview*

*Edwin was interviewed by Zachary’s Marketing Manager, Robin Smith

Robin (R): What attracted you to Zachary’s Pizza or made you choose to work here?

Edwin (E): To be honest, before Zachary’s I started working at another [pizza] restaurant because I love pizza and I had the chance to work over there.  But then Alvaro (a fellow San Ramon kitchen employee-owner) talked to me about [Zachary’s] and the opportunity, I didn’t think twice. I came for the pizza but I stayed because I really liked the environment and the people. That’s why I stay. I came for pizza. [Both laugh]

R: The draw was the pizza

E: Yes.

R: What is one of your favorite aspects about working at Zachary’s?

E: It’s funny that you mention it, but I like the reaction of people when I say, “I work at Zachary’s.” A lot of people [say], “oh, really?” That’s very genuine that people react in a really good way that I work at Zachary’s because they’ve heard a lot of good things about the restaurant- the food, the pizza is awesome. So I like that reaction.

R: They’re excited.

E: Yeah, excited. And the funny thing is they start talking about experiences that they’ve had or things that they’ve heard about this place or the pizza or about all the awards, you know, and that’s good, that’s amazing. I like that.

R: It makes you feel good.

E: It makes you feel proud.

R: So spinning on that feeling of pride, what does being an Employee Owner mean to you?

E: It makes me feel more engaged with my job. It’s more responsibility because I’m not just working for someone. I’m working for this place that cares about me…everything I do I have to do with quality and excellence because they do care a lot about me and I care about this restaurant too.

R: Besides being an employee owned company, what are some of the things that make you feel that engagement and keeps you motivated to accept a supervisor position, like you recently did?

E: The reason why is because I felt like, for so many years, I received a lot from this restaurant and this company and I feel like it was time for me to give something back.  To step up and do a little more than what I was doing, like taking another level…Like saying, thank you so much for everything you have done for me…I am going to do something for you guys. I’m going to do my best, help the new guys, if something needs to be fixed, let’s do it, I’m going to help, I’m going to do more.

R: What’s something you love about living in the Bay Area?

E: To be honest I always talk about that with people that come and visit the area and the first thing they say is that they love the area. That they’ve been in…different places around the world, some of my friends that have come to visit and they’ve said this is the best place to live. And to be honest, I love a lot of things about this area. First of all, I love the weather. The weather is perfect. And the fact that you can go to the city, the mountains, to the snow, everything you want to do, everywhere you want to go, it’s a plus. The location is perfect. The weather is perfect. And then the third thing that I love about this area is the people. To be honest the people. They make me feel like I’m welcome here. I feel like I’ve never been treated in a bad way, or seen in a bad way, and I really like that. I really appreciate the people make me feel like I’m welcome here.

R: Absolutely. That’s important. You need to feel welcome where you live. When people come and visit, what are some of the things that you show off to them?

E: The lifestyle here, it’s pretty good. You can go either shopping or you can go visiting museums. The Academy of Sciences in San Francisco is really good. The views. The views are amazing. Places like the Golden Gate, Santa Cruz, things like that. The view that you get when you drive on the Highway 1.  All those things make this place very special and I like to show that to the people that come and visit. What else?  The food. There’s a lot of good places you can go and dine in and have a good time.

R: Speaking of food, what’s your favorite Zachary’s pizza?

E: I gotta say, the OG, it has to be the Spinach and Mushroom. Yeah, that’s the best.

R: I mean, you can’t go wrong…

E: Yes, that is the best one.

R: I agree.

E: And I like how spinach and mushroom complement each other. They create another, totally different flavor. Yes, so that’s my favorite.

R: Hand’s down. [Laughs] Do you have anything else you’d like to talk about or add about your experience at Zachary’s? Besides being the model for the Zachary’s t-shirt? [Both laugh]

E:  The only thing that I would say is that I learn so many things here. I learn that this place…gives me the chance to grow up. Not just as an employee, but as a person. And I have the chance to meet a lot of beautiful people here and I’m happy with that. And I’m thankful because I feel like this place attracts a lot of beautiful people and they help me in different ways…some with their friendship, some with advice, but all to be the person I am.  I really enjoy it because, to be honest, I’ve been spending a lot of time here. It’s going to be almost a decade now, and I’m thankful because it’s not everywhere you have a chance to meet people…It’s good. I’m happy with that and I’m thankful for that.

We were recently featured on Check, Please! Bay Area Kid’s Edition! What a treat it was to be featured with other great, local restaurants and have these up and coming foodies discuss our Chicago Style stuffed pizza. Celeste holds a special place in our hearts. Besides being a serious Zachary’s fan, she also was a winner of our Zachary’s Art Contest! Thank you to Celeste and Check, Please! for choosing Zachary’s to be featured! You can watch the entire episode below.

We are excited to announce our recently opened Grand Avenue location will be participating in this year’s Oakland Restaurant Week from January 9th – 20th! Cue the trumpets!!

This is our first year participating in restaurant week and we are excited to showcase our new location and everything it has to offer.  Please join us for lunch or dinner and enjoy delicious, award winning Chicago-Style stuffed and thin crust pizza, flavorful appetizers, and custom-crafted cocktails in our beautiful new location in the Grand Lake neighborhood of Oakland! Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag us with #zacharysORW when you visit!

Our flagship location on College Avenue will not be participating, only our Grand Avenue location.

Please keep in mind we do not accept reservations, seating is first come, first served. Have further questions? We’re happy to answer them, just give us a call or email hello@zacharys.com!

Oakland Restaurant Week Menu/Specials for Zachary’s on Grand Avenue

3917 Grand Ave, Oakland, 94610

(510) 658-3226

Pricing does not include tax or gratuities.  No substitutions or modifications.  

Drink Specials-

• Choose two cocktails for $10  Cocktail options are: Paloma, Cinnamon Old Fashioned, Grand Lake Mule and Tilden Tea Time.
  • 2 for $10 deal only valid on these four cocktails.
• Choose any two 16oz pints for $10 (see our Adult Beverage menu in the restaurant for options)

Lunch Special (Monday – Friday, 11am- 4pm only)

• Personal Stuffed or Thin Crust Zachary’s Favorite Pizza + Lunch Caesar Salad $10

Prix Fixe Meals

• Small Stuffed OR Medium Thin Zachary’s Favorite Pizza + Entrée Salad $30
• Small Stuffed OR Medium Thin Zachary’s Favorite Pizza + Entrée Salad + Zachary’s Meatballs $40
• Large Stuffed OR Extra-Large Thin Zachary’s Favorite Pizza + Entrée Salad $40
• Large Stuffed OR Extra-Large Thin Zachary’s Favorite Pizza + Entrée Salad + Zachary’s Meatballs $50
• Large Stuffed OR Extra-Large Thin Zachary’s Favorite Pizza + Entrée Salad + Small Thin Cheese/1 Topping Pizza $50

Two Pizza Combos 

• Small Stuffed + Small Thin Zachary’s Favorite Pizza $40
• Medium Stuffed + Medium Thin Zachary’s Favorite Pizza $50
• Large Stuffed + Large Thin Zachary’s Favorite Pizza $60

Pizzas do not have to be the same Zachary’s Favorite for two pizza combos.

We celebrated our annual holiday earlier this month at Scott’s in Jack London Square.  It was a big year for us, and we had a lot to celebrate with the opening of our 5th location on Grand Ave in Oakland! We danced, we ate, we toasted our accomplishments, and most of all, we had a great time! As you can see from our photo booth pics 🙂

Did you know Zachary’s hosts Community Fundraisers, sometimes called Dine-Out Nights, for local schools and organizations? Well, we do! We believe giving back to our local communities is a vital part of being an employee-owned, Bay Area business, and the best way to say thank you for your support!

You can host a community fundraiser at any of our locations, including our newest location on Grand Avenue in Oakland! We offer fundraisers Monday through Thursday, non holiday weeks. You will need to fill out our fundraiser application form and receive confirmation from our Community Outreach Coordinators.  Below is some useful information regarding our fundraisers:

• We require a minimum three weeks lead time to schedule fundraisers.  This is for staffing purposes.  It’s also for you! The more time you have to promote your fundraiser, the more successful it will be!
• Fundraisers are held at the location of your choosing, however we do not host fundraisers across multiple locations for the same day/organization.
• You can order for dine-in or take-out.  You will need to show a flyer (we’ll provide) to your server or host so we know you are with the fundraiser.  It can be a printed copy, or via your mobile device.
• Third party delivery orders are not eligible for fundraisers.
• Fundraisers run from the time we open to the time we close. Hours vary by location.
• Reservations available at select locations based on availability. Please call our San Ramon or Pleasant Hill location to inquire. Our Oakland and Berkeley locations do not offer reservations.
• Donation amount is based off of the pre-tax subtotal of sales generated by your school or organization.
• We are an employee-owned company and represent a diverse group of owners (and customers!). Therefore, we do not align ourselves with political organizations or positions. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Please click the link to fill out an application or email, fundraising@zacharys.com for further information.

We look forward to hosting you!

Zachary’s Fundraiser Application

 Our second-annual plant parties were a success!

On Sunday, April 14^th, Zachary’s hosted free Plant Parties for the communities outside of our Solano and Pleasant Hill locations. We began the tradition last year at the Solano parklet, and had so much fun we decided to include Pleasant Hill this spring.

Long time employee owner and plant enthusiast Suzanne Hill enjoyed the sunshine outside of our Solano Avenue location giving away an array of beautiful potted succulents and other plants to members of the community strolling by (who also sipped on cucumber water and noshed on some pizza snacks).

The employee owners of Pleasant Hill went in a DIY direction for their Pant Party, opting to let participants dig in the dirt and put together plants in adorable mini Zachary’s themed pots.

Thank you to all of the employee owners and community members who helped us celebrate the warmer days ahead and Mother Earth!

Keep an eye out for our next round of Plant Parties, coming this Fall!

We are super excited about this one! We’ve teamed up with our friends over at Oaklandish for a special edition t-shirt! And (because why stop there), 10% of sales will be donated to the Fred Finch Youth Center. Fred Finch is an amazing organization doing really inspirational work in Oakland and throughout California!

Based in Oakland, California, Fred Finch Youth Center works with young people facing multiple challenges, including homelessness, economic disadvantage, mental health and cognitive disabilities, and histories of significant trauma and loss. Committed to the notion that no one is without hope, no matter how desperate their circumstances may appear, Fred Finch offers programs in education, independent living services, housing and mental heath to provide a pathway to healing and self-sufficiency. Their 128 year history and strong track record have made Fred Finch Youth Center a recognized leader in the treatment of children and families.

For more info you can visit their website at www.fredfinch.org

These limited edition collaboration shirts are available at any Zachary’s location, as well as the flagship Oaklandish store on Broadway in downtown Oakland, and online at Oaklandish.com.

Warm yourself up with pizza and plants

After a bone-chilling winter (at least by Bay Area standards), come celebrate the return of the sunshine and renewal of spring with us on Sunday, April 14th.

Last year we had a great time playing in the dirt at the parklet in front of our Solano Avenue location in North Berkeley, so this year we are also setting up shop on the patio at our Pleasant Hill location.

We will be outside from 12-2pm (weather permitting), with plant supplies and plants you can take home to enjoy. This event is for everyone, from the gardening expert to the plant novice. This is also a great opportunity for kids to play and pick out their own plants to care for.

If you’ve killed plants in the past, no need to worry—our resident green thumbed employee owners will help you with questions about care and propagation.

Pots, dirt and plants will be provided, but feel free to bring any plants, clippings, pots or gardening supplies you’d like to use or share.

So come join us, grab one of our potted plants or dig in the dirt and DIY your own perfect plant composition to add to (or start!) your collection.

Calling all artists! There is an extra month to work on those beautiful art pieces! Pick up some free paper from any Zachary’s location and start your art today!

ALSO REMEMBER TO SHOW YOUR PROGRESS!
Tag #zacharysartcontest2019
Instagram!
Facebook!
Twitter!

Think you got what it takes to make the wall?

We’re looking to add some unique, playful and creative art to our collection. As always, we welcome any and all participants!  Winners will receive a prize and their art will be displayed at one of our locations.

We can’t wait to see all the amazing entries this year!