Vocelli Pizza Partners with The Jerome Bettis "Bus Stops Here" Foundation to Launch "Pizza with Purpose"
PITTSBURGH, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vocelli Pizza is proud to announce a new community initiative in partnership with The Jerome Bettis "Bus Stops Here" Foundation—Pizza with Purpose—a collaboration grounded in shared values of community, equity, and opportunity.
Founded in 1997 by Super Bowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis , The Jerome Bettis "Bus Stops Here" Foundation is committed to empowering underserved youth through education, mentorship, and digital literacy.
"When I started The Bus Stops Here Foundation, the goal was simple: to give kids a chance—an opportunity to dream, to learn, and to thrive," said Bettis. "Partnering with Vocelli Pizza brings that mission into more homes, neighborhoods, and futures."
The Jerome Bettis "Bus Stops Here" Foundation provides computer science education to K-8 students, as well as digital literacy and business development programs for parents in under-resourced areas of Pittsburgh. Proceeds from Pizza with Purpose will directly support the Foundation's flagship initiative, Jerome Bettis' CyberBus, helping to bridge the digital divide and close the opportunity gap for local youth in Pittsburgh and beyond.
In addition to donations, Vocelli Pizza team members will volunteer their time to engage with students and community members, delivering not only delicious, fresh pizza, but also meaningful impact.
"This partnership is truly exciting for Vocelli," said CEO Toni Bianco. "As a brand born and bred in Pittsburgh, it's an honor to support former Pittsburgh Steeler and Superbowl Champion, Jerome Bettis and the incredible work his "Bus Stops Here" Foundation is doing. From our in-store fundraising efforts, where we'll match customer donations, to our involvement in their annual Christmas Drive and other community events, we're proud to stand beside The Jerome Bettis "Bus Stops Here" Foundation to help fuel a brighter future."
Vocelli Pizza is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and has over 80 locations offering pizza and other Italian foods for carryout and delivery. The company has realized franchise growth from its award-winning product, low start-up costs and a national marketing program. Vocelli Pizza offers single and multi-unit development packages to qualified franchisees.
Chainformation Selling Franchises Boot Camp Franchise Pipeline Franchise Development Outsource Strategy Views Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University Varol Ablak Ablak Holdings Vocelli Pizza Jim Powers, CFE
Editor Franchise-Info Joe Caruso
Press Release submissions joe@franchisorsales.org
Direct-to-Reader - Franchise Recruitment Outbound LinkedIn Program Manager Michael (Mike) Webster PhD
Franchise Sales Expert and Franchisor Executive Advisor | Co-Producer of Franchise Chat & Franchise Connect | Empowering Brands on LinkedIn
4dThis is the kind of story that makes franchising proud Vocelli Pizza CEO Toni Bianco leading a brand rooted in Pittsburgh to partner with NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, and his ‘Bus Stops Here’ Foundation, to close the digital divide for local youth. Jerome’s mission to give kids ‘a chance to dream, learn, and thrive’ is matched by Vocelli’s commitment to serve more than great pizza they’re serving the community’s future.
Behind every great community initiative is a franchise system that’s well-run, well-trained, and consistent in every location. That’s where Chainformation comes in. As Chainformation’s US partner, Franchise-Info with Joe Caruso, Ned Lyerly, and Michael (Mike) Webster PhD helps franchisors build cloud-based operations manuals, checklists, and unified communications platforms to keep every team on the same page so local impact scales nationally. If your brand wants to grow while keeping its culture intact, let’s talk.
Franchising at its best isn’t just about growth it’s about impact. Vocelli Pizza’s partnership with The Jerome Bettis ‘Bus Stops Here’ Foundation shows how a brand can serve communities while strengthening its own culture. This is a powerful example of aligning values, mission, and brand promise to create meaningful change.
Franchise Growth Strategist | Co-Producer of Franchise Chat & Franchise Connect | Empowering Brands on LinkedIn
4dPizza needs no purpose, Franchise-Info