HANSEN FOODS

The man that put the "pep" in Pep's was Joseph "Pep" Simek Sr, an American businessman originally from Ogema, Wisconsin. It was in 1962 (see what we did there?) that Pep, along with his brother Ron, became the co-owners and bartenders of the Tombstone Tavern in Medford, Wisconsin. The Tombstone Tavern was located adjacent to a cemetery, leading to the origin of its name. Pep and Ron set up a side business making pizzas in the tavern's tiny 6' x 6' kitchen in the back of the bar to bring in extra income. The new pizzas became very popular, and Tombstone Pizza was born. Pep served as CEO of Tombstone Pizza until the business was sold to Kraft Foods in 1986.

Also known as: Pep's 62 Pizza