Welcome,

I am Ryan Novak, the new owner of The Chocolate Pizza Company!

The Chocolate Pizza Company was founded by Bonnie Hanyak over 20 years ago.  Bonnie originally planned on having a small floral and gift basket store but her success quickly grew.  In 1992, Bonnie created her unique Chocolate Pizzas, blending premium chocolate with a famous Marcellus Candy recipe from 1919 for English Toffee and topping it all with pecans, almonds and walnuts.  It was a taste masterpiece.  She later added Peanut Butter Wings - locally produced potato chips, covered in peanut butter and dipped in chocolate - to her line so that she could offer "Chocolate Pizza and Peanut Butter Wings."  Today, the Chocolate Pizza Company's primary focus is delivering our delicious chocolate products to you!

When I was a toddler, my mom used to take me into the store when it was across the street from our house.  Bonnie tells me I was very good at finding the chocolate sample tray even from my stroller!  When my mom died in 1998, Bonnie was one of the many people in our community who helped me and my dad get back on our feet.  When I was 15, I asked Bonnie for my first part-time job.  She didn’t have one but she hired me anyway.  I washed a lot of dishes but I loved the business and found Bonnie a wonderful mentor.  I told her then that when she was ready to retire that I wanted to own The Chocolate Pizza Company.  She remembered that and over the years has taught me everything about the business.  Since I bought the company in July 2010, I have made it my focus to build on her success.

And build on it we have!  In our first year, we have grown sales significantly by introducing new products, expanding our corporate gift business, increasing our online presence, opening a second store in Manlius, New York and bringing our chocolates to more events and businesses than ever before.  It's been an exciting year and we're just getting started!  I also finished my bachelor’s degree at Syracuse University where I majored in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises.  SU was a great experience and a solid supporter of my efforts.  I look forward to strengthening those ties going forward.

Being featured by Food Network’s hit show, Unwrapped, in 2007 gave the company national exposure but we refreshed that visibility this year with a fantastic feature segment on ABC News.  Locally, we have enjoyed media interest in print, online, radio and even TV appearances on Bridge Street.  We appreciate it all.

We hope you enjoy this website which really showcases our offerings and makes online ordering a breeze any time of the day.  Please join us on Facebook and Twitter as well. 

This year we expanded the business we do with companies, associations and other organizations that are looking for unique ways to thank, impress or recognize clients, employees or vendors.  Our premium chocolates are an ideal answer to business gifts.  Also, expect us to do more with wedding favors, party trays and gift baskets too.  There are so many opportunities!

I want to invite you if you are in the area to stop out and visit our store at 60 East Main Street in Marcellus or our new location in Manlius at 8188 Cazenovia Road (Rt 92 & Pompey Center Rd).  Exciting times are ahead and I look forward to sharing those with you.  Thanks for being a Chocolate Pizza fan!

Sincerely,

Ryan

Bonnie Hanyak, founder of The Chocolate Pizza Company passes a chocolate pizza to new owner, Ryan Novak