When Frank Kabatas first arrived in the United States in 1997 at the age of 23, he had never tasted pizza before. Upon landing in New York City, he was hired as a delivery driver at East Village Pizza, which was not only his first job but also his first experience with pizza. Despite being fired from the job due to a mistake in the kitchen, Kabatas was determined to continue working to pay for school and achieve his goals. He considered himself lucky to have ended up in the United States and was grateful for the opportunities he had.
After being fired from East Village Pizza, Kabatas found a job at Ben’s Pizzeria in Greenwich Village, where he learned how to make pizza and sauce through intense on-the-job training. He worked long hours at the pizzeria followed by night school to improve his English skills. Despite gaining a solid foundation in making pizza, Kabatas realized that he needed to learn the business side of things, which led him to work at Domino’s where he gained valuable experience in marketing and operations. In 2003, after hearing that East Village Pizza was for sale, Kabatas decided to purchase the slice joint.
Upon becoming the owner of East Village Pizza, Kabatas made significant changes to the recipes, ovens, and overall operations to align the pizzeria with his vision. He focused on improving the quality of the pizza and creating new menu items, such as the Margherita Pizza, Double Stacked Pizzas, and Cheesy Garlic Knots, which have become popular with customers both locally and on social media. Despite owning the place where he was once fired, Kabatas viewed it as an opportunity to achieve his goals and build a successful business.
Kabatas remains hands-on in the kitchen, constantly experimenting with dough and striving to improve the quality of the pizza served at East Village Pizza. He has built a loyal customer base, with over 1.7 million followers on Instagram who appreciate his passion for creating delicious food. Despite the challenges of running a business, Kabatas is grateful for the opportunity to own his own pizzeria and make decisions that impact the success of the establishment. He emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes and continuing to grow as a business owner.
Throughout his journey from a Turkish immigrant who had never tasted pizza to a successful pizzeria owner in Manhattan, Kabatas remains focused on achieving his goals while maintaining a positive outlook on life. He credits hard work, determination, and a willingness to learn from his experiences as key factors in his success. Despite facing setbacks and challenges along the way, Kabatas has persevered and built a thriving business that reflects his passion for creating delicious pizza and serving his community. He views the opportunity to own East Village Pizza as a testament to his hard work and dedication.
