ALBUQUERQUE, NM â Tomorrow, Tuesday February 20, 2018, Dionâs celebrates its 40th anniversary. The past 40 years have been filled with plenty of hand-crafted pizza and Ranch dressing.
The company now employs over 1,600 people and runs 23 restaurants in three states. 40 years ago the co-founders of Dionâs, Jon Patten and Bill Scott, came to Albuquerque from Michigan with dreams of opening a Greek restaurant. Their dream changed when their customers fell in love with the pizza they served before their gyro and baklava equipment arrived. Patten said, âWeâve always believed great food comes first, and when our customers requested more pizza we knew we had to keep making it.â The only reminder of Dionâs original restaurant concept on the menu is its Greek salad and dressing. Dionâs has received numerous awards over the past 40 years, including âThe Quick-Track Award of Excellenceâ from Sandelman and Associates, where Dionâs was ranked as a top-five quick-serve restaurant multiple times. Dionâs was also voted âBest Pizzaâ by Albuquerque the Magazine, âBest Sandwichâ in the Albuquerque Journal Readerâs Choice Awards, and âMost Admiredâ company in New Mexicoâs Private 100 List in 2015. âIt is crazy to think itâs been 40 years since we opened the first Dionâs,â said Scott. âWe had no idea what we were doing then, and shouldnât have made it this far. After the buzz around the release of Green Chile Ranch last year, it is safe to say a lot of people are very glad we kept growing.â Since the new dressing went viral, more than 2.5 million ounces have been sold. When reflecting on the past 40 years, Scott said, âWe made mistakes and learned along the way, itâs been an exciting and rewarding journey.â Patten said, âWe are honored by the enthusiasm of Dionâs fans and are as committed as ever to serving amazing food in a comfortable environment. We are anxious to see what the next 40 years, and beyond, will bring.â About Dionâs Dionâs provides great food and a place for people to relax and connect with family and friends. We create ease, simplicity, and connection amidst the hustle and bustle of busy lives. We hold ourselves to an expectation of authenticity and excellence. Our employees, customers, and community members are partners in success. Together we develop opportunities to grow and thrive as a company, as individuals, and as a community. For more information, visit www.dions.com or call 505-858-1010, Facebook: facebook.com/DionsPizza, Twitter: @dionspizza or Instagram: instagram.com/dionspizza.