Warren pizza shop owner places fifth at international taste test exposition
Last October, owner Benjamin Hoover opened Franky’s Pizza and Deli, which was welcomed by the Warren and greater Mahoning Valley community with open arms.
At the end of March, Franky’s Pizza and Deli in Warren brought home two awards showcasing the restaurant’s appeal on an even broader scale.
From March 24 through March 26, Hoover competed in the 2025 International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.
Around 11,000 people attended the competition, which has five divisions of pizza challenges: traditional, non-traditional, neapolitan, pan and world’s best cheese slice.
Franky’s Pizza and Deli’s Sicilian-style spicy pepperoni won fifth place, while the Countach specialty sandwich won thirteenth place.
The Countach is made with fresh basil pesto, a breaded chicken cutlet, Prosciutto di Parma, fresh mozzarella and roasted red peppers.
The Sicilian spicy pepperoni pizza brings the heat with a housemade Italian chili crunch oil, red sauce, capicola and pepperoni.
This award-winning pizza represents Hoover’s blend of hometown classics and new recipes inspired by his time cooking in New York.
