Elberta Pizza Co.: Building Community One Slice at a Time
When Bryan and Desiree Fast opened Elberta Pizza Co. in May 2025, they had a vision of creating more than just another pizza restaurant. As lifelong Benzie County residents, they wanted to build a business that reflected their values – quality, community, and hard work – while contributing to the continued growth of downtown Elberta.
Elberta Pizza Co., serving handcrafted pizzas, fresh salads, subs, wings, and monthly specialty creations. Prepared in-house, fresh dough and marinara sauce to freshly grated cheese and hand-prepped vegetables, reflecting the owners' commitment to quality and consistency.
In 2026, that dedication was recognized when Elberta Pizza Co. was voted Traverse Magazine's Red Hot Best Winner for Pizza in Benzie & Leelanau Counties. The award, determined by readers across Northern Michigan, was a significant milestone for a business that had been open for just over a year.
A delicious pie from Elberta Pizza Co. — The Fast Family – Bryer (7 mos.), Desiree, Bryan and Sam (3) – enjoying some work-holiday hybrid fun over the Fourth of July — One secret to their success? Friendly, hardworking staff — Never too young to learn! Sam Fast gets a lesson in handling the homemade dough.
Behind the restaurant is a young family balancing entrepreneurship with parenthood. Bryan and Desiree are raising two young children, Sam, 3, and Bryer, 7 months. Desiree serves as a full-time mom while also helping with day-to-day office operations. Bryan is on the front lines every day, leading the kitchen, working alongside his staff, and greeting customers as the face of the business.
As customer demand has grown, so has the business. Elberta Pizza Co. recently expanded with a mobile pizza trailer, allowing the restaurant to serve festivals, community events, weddings, and fundraisers throughout Benzie Co. The expansion has created new opportunities to reach customers while increasing revenue beyond the restaurant's four walls.
Elberta Pizza customers echo praise for their food and service.
“I had their pizza at the Frankfort Fall Festival,” said Carey Stark, a member of the West Shore Bank team, now working at their Onekama branch. “It was the best pizza I’ve had in my near 45 years on this planet!”
“I love it,” says Carrie Everhart of Frankfort. “We often enjoy their food in winter when their delivery option is ideal. I really like their three-cheese bread!”
The business has also become deeply involved in the community through school fundraisers, nonprofit partnerships, and local events. Supporting local organizations has become an important part of the company's mission, reinforcing the belief that a successful small business should invest in the community that supports it.
Thirteen-year-old Anderson Ervin loves every bit of it.
“The sauce on the taco pizza is to die for,” he said. “It’s better than any pizza I’ve had!”
Growth like this would not have been possible without access to financing and organizations that believe in small-town entrepreneurs. Support from Venture North Funding helped provide the resources needed to turn a vision into a thriving business, allowing Elberta Pizza Co. to invest in equipment, expand operations, and continue creating local jobs while serving residents and visitors alike.
RED HOT WINNING PIZZA!
Elberta Pizza Co.
1619 Frankfort Street, Elberta, MI
231-399-0071
Summer Hours: (pick-up and delivery) Every day: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
For Media Inquiries, Contact:
Contact: Tim Ervin - Ph: 231-794-0089 - Email: timervinassoc@gmail.com
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