[1][2] It has now expanded as a small, family-owned chain, with several other locations in the Eastern U.S. Frank Pepe (April 15, 1893 – September 6, 1969) was born in Maiori, Italy,[3] and immigrated to New Haven in 1909 when he was a teenager.

He worked alongside other Italian Immigrants in Wooster Square in local factories, such as Sargent & Co., a manufacturer of locks and hardware.

At that time, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana had the largest number of seats of any restaurant in the United States.

Frank (who was illiterate) was responsible for starting the fire for the coal-fired oven every morning, while Filomena handled the accounting and the business.

Other family members were involved in the business, including Pepe's younger sister Rachel Colonna, daughters Elizabeth and Serafina, and son-in-law Ralph Rosselli.

They often brought their children to work with them, who would often take up the necessary tasks of operating a restaurant, such as dishwashing or cleaning the metal trays the pizzas are served on.

"The Spot" serves the same menu as the location next door, and contains the original 1925 oven that Frank Pepe established his pizzeria with.

[5] Pepe's daughters ran the daily operations of the pizzeria for decades before transferring ownership to their seven children, all of whom had experience working in various roles at the restaurant.

According to Ralph Rosselli, husband of Elizabeth Pepe and pizzaiolo at the restaurant, “There are hot and cold spots in the oven.

Boccamiello's nephew, Bear, would open clams and sell them on the half shell to passersby in the alleyway between The Spot and Pepe's.

All locations feature the same green and white design of their building and fixtures, a replica of the coal-fired oven, serve on the square pizza pans, and use the same suppliers for their ingredients.

Additionally, Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana serves slices out of the Mohegan Sun Arena when there are events.

Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is also well known for its friendly rivalry with another Wooster Street pizza restaurant, Sally's Apizza.

[24] Several other celebrities that have declared their loyalty to Pepe's include: Paul Giamatti, Henry Winkler, Lyle Lovett, Steve Schirripa, Alex Guarnaschelli, David Chang, Bobby Flay, and others.

Pepe's is a popular destination for celebrities, who often stop by to dine when visiting or passing through New Haven including Paul McCartney, Ray Allen, Vince Vaughn, Tobey Maguire, Ron Howard, Bill Murray, Caroline Kennedy, Danny DeVito, Robert Duvall and Meryl Streep.