Michael’s Pizza Celebrates 35 Years in Business
Takes Pride in Going Green
Michael’s Pizza is in the midst of their 35th year in business and 20th year at their current location (near the intersection of Weber Road & Romeo Road). Michael’s has always strived for the best quality, whether that means cooking with the best ingredients, offering name brand condiments, or using the best packaging options. About two years ago, they made a major upgrade in the packaging department that’s not just good for the customer, but also good for the planet: They went green.
“Michaels Pizza has always tried to use quality packaging,” explains Mike Dillon, owner and namesake of Michael’s Pizza, “but we were using Styrofoam like everybody else. Styrofoam is cheap, but it doesn’t go anywhere. Once it’s manufactured, it’s on the earth to stay.” What he found instead was something made from the parts of sugar cane that aren’t used for anything else. The product is called a fiber container. It’s not only environmentally friendly, but also sturdier and compostable. Additionally, it maintains the quality of the food better during delivery.
As with any upgrade, there is a price to pay. The cost difference between fiber and Styrofoam ranges from 2 cents to 12 cents per unit, depending on the container in question. Given the financial sacrifice in going green, why does Mike do it? “That’s our thing,” he replies. “We strive for the best quality we can deliver, from food to packaging. But the other thing is, I want to be environmentally responsible as a business. Hopefully we’re respected for using green and earth-friendly products. Everything we have here, everything we do, is recyclable, compostable, or reusable.”
“Michael’s Pizza has been a great business partner for many years,” praised Mayor John Noak. “We commend them for their efforts in going green and we look forward to their continued success in Romeoville.”
So what’s next for Mike? As Michael’s Pizza looks ahead, they will continue to be more environmentally friendly by adding LED lights and exploring new supplies. You can explore their menu and catering options at MichaelsPizzaInc.com.