Hall of Fame 2022

HALL OF fame
Pizza brings people together. It’s a
conduit for community – unifying
and equalizing people across
families, workplaces and neighborhoods.
While Bernatello’s Foods has been in the
frozen pizza manufacturing business
since 1982, owners and employees
really see it as a people business.
time to get to know store managers
and freezer case managers.
“We want to learn how to serve their
store best,” says Selvig. “It’s more
than just talking about product,
we also want to make genuine
connections and show we care.”
“We know people are our greatest
asset, so it’s in our culture to put
employees, retailers and customers
first every single day,” says Matt Selvig,
Advertising and Promotions Manager
for Bernatello’s. “Treating people right
has allowed us to create great products
and grow into a household name.”
The Minnesota-based company
is owned and operated by two
generations of the Ramsay family. What
started as a back-room tavern pizza
company has strategically expanded
to now produce six brands of frozen
pizzas, including Brew Pub Lotzza
Motzza, Bellatoria, Orv’s, Roma, Pizza
Corner and Hangry Bear brands.
Bernatello’s is powered by more
than 500 employees between
manufacturing facilities in Minnesota
and Wisconsin and a sales team across
the Midwest. It distributes to retailers
across the upper Midwest and also
has warehouse business in western
and southwest regions of the U.S.
PRIORITIZING RETAILER
RELATIONSHIPS
The supplier has a direct store delivery
program which includes going into
stores, stocking shelves and making
sure the freezer looks sharp. This
service is an important value-add for
stores choosing to carry Bernatello’s
products – especially as retailers
navigate the challenges of limited
staffing and supply chain uncertainty.
In addition to stocking product,
the Bernatello’s sales team takes
This people-first approach and handson
service contributed to Bernatello’s
nomination and selection for the
Iowa Grocery Industry Association
(IGIA) Supplier of the Year award.
BUILDING THE BREW
PUB PIZZA BRAND WITH
CHEESE AND GOODWILL
Bernatello’s has focused on building the
Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza Brand
in recent years. The line of frozen pizza
is specifically made with the hungry in
mind. Each pizza is made with premium
meats and veggies and is topped with
more than a half pound of awardwinning
Wisconsin Mozzarella cheese.
According to Selvig, once even the pickiest
frozen pizza connoisseurs try a slice they
are “wowed” by the flavor and quality.
“It is so delicious it just takes one piece
to get people on board,” he explains.
“That’s why we do a lot of guerrilla
marketing and sampling events.”
Some of the marketing activities
bring the Brew Pub Pizza trailer to
events across their distribution region,
including Iowa. Often, the Bernatello’s
team will hand out free slices at
community or non-profit events asking
only for freewill donations that can
be sent to a local charity of choice.
“Whenever there’s an opportunity
to help others, Bernatello’s will be
there,” Selvig says. “Our company is
genuinely dedicated to lifting up local
communities and charities, and we’re
especially passionate about supporting
veterans and law enforcement officers.”
About the
Supplier of
the Year
The IGIA board of directors created
this award in 1987 to distinguish
one supplier that demonstrates an
outstanding commitment to the
association and its members. It is
reserved for companies that go above
and beyond to foster retail success
through outstanding customer service
and marketing or merchandizing
assistance. The ideal candidate is
a member in good standing of the
association that exhibits a high level
of involvement in and service to IGIA.
“It’s a huge honor to be
recognized by peers in
the industry who value
the work we’re doing. Our
team is proud to be a part
of the association and
will continue to develop
relationships with our valued
partners across Iowa.”
MATT SELVIG,
BERNATELLO’S FOODS
TM
To learn more about Bernatello’s and its lines of
frozen pizza products, visit bernatellos.com.
HALL OF FAME ISSUE 2022 33