Co-Founder & Head Chef
Marco Rossi
Trained in Naples, Marco brings authentic Neapolitan technique to every pie. He personally develops all new recipes and trains our kitchen staff.
Our Story
Made with Passion,
Served with Pride
We believe pizza is more than food — it's a craft, a community, and a celebration of bold flavors made fresh every single day.
Our Story
From a Small Kitchen to Rockford's Favorite Slice
Mod Pizza was born in 2014 out of a simple obsession: make an extraordinary pizza using only the freshest, most honest ingredients — then let every guest customize it exactly the way they want.
What started as a weekend experiment in our founders' home kitchen in Rockford, Illinois, quickly grew into something the neighborhood couldn't stop talking about. Word spread fast. Friends brought friends. Orders piled up. And by 2015, we opened our first brick-and-mortar location on E State St.
"We didn't set out to build a restaurant chain — we set out to create the perfect pizza and share it with our community. Everything else followed naturally."
Today, we serve thousands of guests every month, but our commitment remains unchanged: handcrafted pizzas made to order, using local produce where possible, with zero shortcuts on quality or flavor.
10+
Years of
Craftsmanship
Craftsmanship
What Drives Us
Our Mission & Goals
We exist to bring people together over incredible food — made honestly, served warmly, and enjoyed fully.
Craft Quality Pizza
Every pizza we make is a reflection of our dedication to quality. We use hand-stretched dough, house-made sauces, and premium toppings sourced from trusted suppliers.
Fresh, Local Ingredients
We partner with local farms and vendors to bring you the freshest vegetables, cheeses, and meats possible — reducing our footprint while maximizing flavor.
Build Community
Pizza is meant to be shared. We actively support local events, schools, and charities in Rockford, because the community that feeds us deserves our full support back.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
These aren't just words on a wall — they're the principles our team lives by every single shift.
Uncompromising Quality
We never cut corners. From the flour we knead to the toppings we layer, quality is non-negotiable at every step of our process.
Genuine Hospitality
Every guest who walks through our doors deserves to feel welcome, respected, and genuinely cared for — not just served.
Sustainability Minded
From compostable packaging to energy-efficient ovens, we're committed to reducing our environmental impact one pizza at a time.
Constant Innovation
Our menu evolves with the seasons and with our guests' tastes. We love experimenting with new flavors while honoring what our regulars love.
Our Journey
A Decade of Delicious Milestones
From a home kitchen experiment to Rockford's most-loved pizza destination — here's how our story unfolded.
2014
The Spark in the Kitchen
Co-founders Marco and Lisa begin experimenting with sourdough pizza recipes at home, perfecting their dough formula over dozens of weekend batches.
2015
First Location Opens
Mod Pizza opens its first location at 6470 E State St, Rockford. The opening day line stretched around the block — we ran out of dough by 2pm.
2017
Best Pizza in Rockford Award
Rockford Register Star readers voted Mod Pizza "Best Pizza in Rockford" — the first of five consecutive wins. We celebrated with a free pizza day for the entire city.
2019
Online Ordering Launches
We launched our online ordering platform, making it easier than ever for guests to customize and order their perfect pizza from anywhere in Rockford.
2021
Catering Program Launches
After years of special requests, we officially launched our catering program — bringing the Mod Pizza experience to corporate events, weddings, and private parties across Illinois.
2024
Franchise Program & Decade Celebration
Celebrating 10 years of handcrafted pizza, we launched our franchise program to bring Mod Pizza to new communities — while staying true to the values that built us.
The People Behind the Pizza
Meet Our Team
A passionate crew of pizza lovers, flavor scientists, and hospitality champions dedicated to making every visit unforgettable.
Co-Founder & Operations
Lisa Chen
The strategic mind of Mod Pizza. Lisa oversees operations, vendor relationships, and has built our reputation for consistency and warm hospitality.
Guest Experience Lead
Derek Williams
Derek ensures every guest leaves happier than they arrived. With 8 years in hospitality, he leads our front-of-house team with infectious energy.
Sourcing & Sustainability
Sophia Martinez
Sophia manages our ingredient sourcing, maintaining relationships with local farmers and ensuring every component meets our exacting quality standards.