Pizzazz Pizza sure does have a lot to celebrate this year. The family-owned pizza shop begins its 40th season this summer, proving that their focus on family, teamwork, customer service and quality ingredients is a legacy that’s built to last. They also continue to innovate, offering expanded facilities and a brand-new tap room in their Nags Head location.
First, a little backstory. In 1986, current owner Gunnell Rupert’s mother and stepfather opened a little pizza shop in Duck. They called it Pizzazz Pizza, and Gunnell planned to work there for a single season after college in 1991. Fate intervened, though, as his future wife, Kate, walked through the door of the pizza shop that summer!
“That’s where the Rupert family started its career and life on the Outer Banks,” Gunnell says. “We’ve been here ever since.” Fast-forward 40 years and you’ll find both the family and the business significantly expanded. In addition to the original Duck location, Pizzazz Pizza now has shops in Corolla, Nags Head and Grandy. They have expanded from pizza to open two adjacent Cookshak locations in Duck and Nags Head. The Cookshaks offer fried chicken, white cheddar mac and cheese and homemade shoestring fries.
Gunnell and Kate’s own family has also grown and now consists of three adult sons, all of whom are involved in the business. Their eldest, Hall, is the area director. Reese, their middle son, runs the Cookshak operation and Josh, their youngest, helms Pizzazz’s Corolla location.
New for their 40th anniversary, the Nags Head location of Pizzazz Pizza has just opened a tap room. Featuring 14 different types of beer on a self-serve tap wall, the offerings refresh regularly but always include local beers, such as Swells’a and Lost Colony, as well as state, regional, domestic and import favorites. Canned beers are available too, and growlers are coming soon.
The space housing the new tap house was recently remodeled and features a large seating area perfect for big groups or private events. In addition to the self-serve tap wall, there is seating for up to 68 and multiple large-screen TVs, creating a relaxed and festive feel.
Pizzazz’s longevity speaks for itself, but to give a little more insight into their philosophy, you should know that they focus on fresh ingredients and that everything is homemade. In addition to pizza, Pizzazz offers oven-baked subs, chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and salads. The Duck and Nags Head locations feature a lunch pizza buffet.
“We use the freshest of toppings,” Gunnell says. “We make all our own dough and sauces every day. Some of Pizzazz’s favorite specialty pizzas include their Buffalo Chicken, Greek and Hurricane White. Subs such as cheesesteaks, chicken parmesan and Italian are also classics.
The Grandy, Duck and Nags Head locations feature dine-in, take-out and delivery, while the Corolla location is for take-out and delivery only.
Whether you are looking for a place for the whole group to enjoy pizza, beer and air-conditioning, grabbing a bite for the beach or relaxing in a beach house with a delivery, Pizzazz has you covered.
Their Cookshak locations in Duck and Nags Head offer a tasty, simple, homestyle fried chicken option that, like pizza, is terrific for feeding a group for a good price.
“It’s great for beach house dinners or fishing trips,” Gunnell says.
All locations are open year-round, giving both visitors and the local community a gathering space.
In addition to Pizzazz’s top-notch food, they have a real focus on customer service, and you’ll always be greeted by a smiling face.
Given their 40 years in business, you might imagine that Pizzazz has a lot of repeat customers, and you’d be correct. Gunnell says their customers come to feel like family, many returning year after year for the food and atmosphere.
“We’re big on treating our employees and our customers like family,” Gunnell says.
Pizzazz’s long-term employees certainly prove this. Many of them have been involved in the business for years, if not decades. Along with their three sons, the Ruperts have a management crew that has become like family. Co-general managers in Duck, Steve Parsons and Donel Smith, have been with the company for more than 30 years. The Nags Head location’s general manager, Jimmy Reinhart, has been there for 28 years, and Grandy’s manager, Josh Pauley, clocks in at 20 years.
As the Pizzazz Pizza team celebrates 40 fabulous years of quality ingredients, stellar customer service and a family culture that’s built to last, Gunnell says that he’s very excited about eventually turning the business over to his sons so that they can carry on the tradition. They’re all now either married or engaged, so the next generation of Pizzazz is well underway.
“We’re excited for another 40 years on the Outer Banks,” Gunnell says.
Grandy: (252)453-2800 |109 Forbes Loop
Corolla: (252) 453-8858 | 603 Currituck Clubhouse Drive
Duck: (252) 261-8822 | 1187 Duck Road
Nags Head: (252) 261-1111 | 2512 Croatan Highway
About the Author Heather Frese
Heather Frese fell in love with the Outer Banks when she was three years old. She grew up camping every summer on Hatteras Island, and her writing is deeply influenced by the history and wild beauty of the area. Her debut novel, The Baddest Girl on the Planet, won the Lee Smith Novel Prize and is set on Hatteras Island. 
