Kettering in Montgomery County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Cassano’s Pizza King®
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 26, 2016
1. Cassano’s Pizza King Marker
Side A
Kettering grocer Victor “Vic” Cassano, Sr. (1922- 2002) and his mother-in-law Caroline “Mom” Dinisi (1893- 1987) opened what became Cassano’s Pizza King on June 4, 1953. Their signature square-cut, thin-crust “pizza pie” was an instant success; selling 400 pizzas the first day and propelling Cassano’s to one of the top pizza chains in America by the mid-1970s. Vic Sr. was a trailblazer, as Cassano’s was reportedly one of the first in the nation to franchise its stores (in 1955) and offered delivery via its “Pizza Bugs” in the early 1960s. A true entrepreneur, Vic Sr. also developed other restaurant concepts, including, by 1980, London Bobby Fish and Chips and The Commodore.
In 1989, Vic Casssano, Jr. (1945- 2010), acquired control of the company. This visionary leader led Cassano’s through tremendous challenges while positioning for a new generation of growth. In 1994, Vic Jr. expanded the manufacturing of their “Signature Dough” to support a growing interstate wholesale business. In 2004, he streamlined the task of ordering a pizza by opening the Cassano’s Call Center, which served all of its stores.
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Erected 2016 by Cassano Enterprises, Inc. U! Creative Inc. The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 22- 57.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Food & Drink • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 4, 1953.
Location. 39° 41.284′ N, 84° 8.167′ W. Marker is in Kettering, Ohio, in Montgomery County. It is at the intersection of Stroop Road and Hempstead Station Drive, on the right when traveling east on Stroop Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1700 East Stroop Road, Dayton OH 45429, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Dayton Metro and in
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 26, 2016
2. Cassano’s Pizza King Marker
Side B
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Capt. Don Gentile (approx. 1.9 miles away); Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) (approx. 1.9 miles away); David's Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.9 miles away); David's Cemetery - Established in 1826 (approx. 1.9 miles away); Mad River Road / Road from Cunningham’s to Mad River (approx. 1.9 miles away); Remembrance Circle (approx. 1.9 miles away); Long-Romspert Homestead (approx. 2.6 miles away); Watervliet Shaker Community (approx. 2.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kettering.
Additional keywords. Cassano’s Pizza King®
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 26, 2016
3. Cassano’s Pizza King Marker
Full view of marker
Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, August 26, 2016
4. Cassano’s Pizza King Marker
Marker can be seen at a distance; from the retail restaurant, looking across the front of the manufacturing facility. Yes, I had lunch here.
Photographed by Craig Doda, October 4, 2025
5. Cassano’s Pizza King® Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,875 times since then and 149 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 28, 2016, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 5. submitted on October 8, 2025, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
