Marcus Delgado
Founder & CEO
With culinary training in Naples and a ranch upbringing in Illinois, Marcus blends two worlds into every pizza. He oversees vision, recipe innovation, and community partnerships.
From a single Peoria kitchen to a beloved pizza ranch destination — discover the passion, people, and purpose behind every handcrafted pie we serve in the United States.
How It All Began
Pizza Ranch was born in 2008 in Peoria, Illinois, when founder Marcus Delgado combined his Italian culinary training with a genuine love for the American ranch spirit. What started as a small neighborhood pizzeria on N Brandywine Dr has grown into a beloved United States food destination, celebrated for its bold ranch-inspired flavors and fresh, hand-stretched dough.
Our signature pizzaranch style blends classic wood-fired techniques with locally sourced toppings and a smoky ranch profile that customers simply cannot find anywhere else. Every pizza is made to order — no shortcuts, no compromises. We believe that great food starts with great ingredients and even greater people.
Today, Pizza Ranch continues to serve Peoria and beyond with the same warmth and dedication that launched us in 2008. Our kitchen team crafts every pie as if they were feeding their own family — because at Pizza Ranch, every guest is family.
What Drives Us
At Pizza Ranch, our purpose is simple — bring people together over extraordinary food. These are the principles that guide every slice we craft.
To craft the finest ranch pizza experience in the United States by combining traditional Italian techniques with bold, western-inspired flavors — served fresh, every single time.
We source only the freshest local ingredients, prepare our sauces from scratch daily, and hand-stretch every dough ball. Quality is not a feature — it is our foundation.
Peoria is our home. We partner with local farms, support neighborhood events, and believe that a strong community begins at a shared table — and a great pizza.
We respect tradition but embrace creativity. Our seasonal specials and chef-driven ranch pizza recipes keep our menu exciting and our guests always coming back for something new.
We are committed to reducing our footprint. From compostable packaging to zero-waste kitchen initiatives, sustainability is baked into everything we do at Pizza Ranch.
Every guest deserves to feel at home. From warm greetings to perfect pies, we pour heart into every interaction — because hospitality is the secret ingredient in every order.
Our Journey
From a one-oven kitchen to a full-service pizzaranch experience — every year brought new flavors, new faces, and new chapters to our story.
Marcus Delgado opens the first Pizza Ranch location at 4114 N Brandywine Dr, Peoria. The 12-seat dining room fills up on day one — and never looks back. Our signature ranch pizza sauce is introduced and becomes an instant hit.
Growing demand drives a full kitchen renovation. We double our seating capacity, introduce our wood-fired oven, and launch the fan-favorite "Ranch Roundup" specialty pizza line — a bold fusion of smoky ranch and premium toppings.
Pizza Ranch is honored with Peoria Magazine's "Best Pizza" award three consecutive years in a row. The recognition brings a surge of new loyal customers and cements our place as the city's top ranch pizza destination.
We bring Pizza Ranch to living rooms across Peoria with our first online ordering platform and dedicated delivery fleet. Customers can now enjoy authentic ranch pizza without leaving home — orders double within the first quarter.
During the most challenging period in the industry's history, Pizza Ranch pivots swiftly. We launch contactless curbside pickup, family meal bundles, and community donation programs — feeding healthcare workers across Peoria at no cost.
Pizza Ranch launches its franchise program, inviting passionate entrepreneurs to carry the ranch pizza legacy to new communities across the United States. Our 16-year-old recipe book and proven systems are now open to future franchise partners.
"I wanted to create a place where families could sit down, relax, and enjoy pizza that actually tastes like someone cared about every single ingredient. That vision hasn't changed in 16 years."
The People Behind the Pies
Our team is the heart of Pizza Ranch. Each member brings unique passion and expertise to craft the ranch pizza experience you love.
Founder & CEO
With culinary training in Naples and a ranch upbringing in Illinois, Marcus blends two worlds into every pizza. He oversees vision, recipe innovation, and community partnerships.
Head Chef
Sofia brings 12 years of fine dining experience to the Pizza Ranch kitchen. She leads daily menu development, ingredient sourcing, and ensures every pie meets our uncompromising quality standards.
Operations Manager
James keeps the ranch running like a well-oiled machine. With a background in restaurant management and logistics, he ensures seamless service from kitchen to customer, every hour we're open.
Marketing Director
Aaliya is the voice and vision behind the Pizza Ranch brand. She leads all marketing initiatives, community engagement campaigns, and the digital presence that keeps our Peoria fans connected and craving more.
Want to join our growing team? We're always looking for passionate people.
View Career OpportunitiesReady to Taste the Ranch?
Now that you know our story, it's time to taste it. Order our handcrafted ranch pizza and join over 50,000 satisfied guests who call Pizza Ranch their favorite.
Call Us
+1 309-839-1420Visit Us
4114 N Brandywine Dr, Peoria, IL
Hours
Mon–Fri: 9AM–6PM | Sat: 10AM–4PM