A Slice of Detroit

All Buddy’s locations have decor that gives a nod to the city where it began.

New ownership for iconic Buddy’s Pizza

By Sarah Kittle

For generations of Detroiters, Buddy’s Pizza has been more than a place to eat good pizza— it’s been a ritual, a reward, and a deeply personal part of the city’s identity. Now, after 80 years, the iconic brand is entering a new chapter, moving forward led by a trio of Chaldean American business leaders determined to honor its legacy while building its future.

“I’ve been a big fan of Buddy’s for a very long time,” shared Andrew Dickow, one of the three main investors. “I grew up on the brand.”

In a recent conversation with Chaldean News, Dickow offered insight into the acquisition, his partnership with Saber Ammori and Kevin Denha, and what each brings to the table.

First, he explained, the deal was not opportunistic but intentional.

“We had been tracking Buddy’s for years,” Dickow explained. “It’s something we proactively pursued.”  When the opportunity finally came, it was competitive, but ultimately they were able to show that they were the right group to take it forward.

The trio’s longstanding business relationships helped solidify the deal. Dickow and Ammori previously partnered on Detroit-based food ventures like Pop Daddy Snacks, while Denha’s experience in real estate and large-scale operations rounds out the team’s capabilities.

Together, they represent a blend of operational expertise, strategic vision, and deep-rooted connection to the Detroit community.

“It’s an unbelievable group,” shared Dickow. “We also have some smaller investors that bring a lot of capability.”

“I am very confident in Juan Rojas’s ability to build culture, inspire high performing teams, and create an amazing, best in class pizza company,” adds Saber Ammori.

Ammori, known for scaling Wireless Vision into the nation’s largest T-Mobile franchisee, offers a proven blueprint for managing large, multi-unit operations with a focus on culture, people, and customer experience.

“Saber has one vision and a 50,000-foot strategy,” Dickow noted.

Kevin Denha contributes extensive real estate expertise, a critical asset as the group evaluates Buddy’s physical footprint and future expansion opportunities.

“That’s going to be really critical for us as we think about the brand and where our footprint is today and where it will be tomorrow,” said Dickow.

Dickow himself brings a background in food and consumer brands, having spent a decade at General Mills before transitioning into investment and advisory roles in the food and beverage sector. He also has hands-on experience operating restaurants and growing consumer packaged goods brands; experience that will be key as Buddy’s continues expanding its presence in grocery stores nationwide.

“Our focus is not on changing what makes Buddy’s special, “ says Saber Ammori, “but on elevating it.”

While expansion is part of the long-term vision, Dickow is clear that growth will not come at the expense of quality.

“We don’t have the right to think about growth until we get the product and experience exactly where it needs to be across all our locations,” he said.

That means focusing first on consistency—ensuring that a pizza served in Warren matches one served in Farmington Hills, every single time. Only then will the team look to scale further, both in restaurants and in retail. “It starts with having a culture that thinks about the customer first.”

Still, the opportunity is significant. Detroit-style pizza is one of the fastest-growing segments in the frozen pizza category, with national brands entering the space. As the originator, Buddy’s is uniquely positioned to lead.

“Our goal is to make this a true national brand,” Dickow said, saying that he envisions Buddy’s merchandise selling alongside other Detroit iconic brands such as Vernors and Better Made.

One of the biggest hurdles lies in translating the restaurant experience into a frozen product, something Dickow acknowledges is inherently difficult.

“It’s very, very challenging to make a frozen product—made even with the best ingredients, the best processes, the same dough—and have it taste the same as in-store pizza.”

Authentic Detroit-style Pizza

In Buddy’s kitchens, pizzas are baked in signature blue steel pans (a nod to Detroit’s automotive heritage), creating the crisp, caramelized crust that defines the style. Replicating that exact experience in a manufacturing facility isn’t yet possible, though the company continues to innovate.

“It’s very hard to match the restaurant product,” Dickow admitted. “But if it says Buddy’s on it, it better be Buddy’s Pizza.”

That commitment to authenticity is central to the brand’s expansion strategy, especially among Detroiters whose expectations are famously high. Ammori’s pledge is, “a relentless commitment to making the best Detroit-style pizza possible.”

For the partners, the acquisition is more than a business deal. It’s deeply personal.

Dickow recalls childhood memories of celebrating at Buddy’s after baseball games, sitting in the booth with his family, even going so far as to scrounge up spare change in the parking lot with his cousin just to buy a slice.

“It wasn’t just pizza,” he says. “It was an experience.”

Now, as owners as well as Detroiters, that emotional connection translates into a sense of stewardship.

“This is a Detroit icon, and it wasn’t owned by Detroiters,” explained Dickow. Now that it is, “it’s an absolute privilege, and a lot of responsibility.”

The acquisition is also part of a broader story tied to both Detroit’s resurgence and the evolution of the Chaldean American community. “This wouldn’t be possible without our parents’ generation,” Dickow said. “They came here with very little and built businesses one customer at a time.”

From small grocery stores to major enterprises, that foundation has enabled a new generation to pursue larger-scale opportunities—including acquiring one of Detroit’s most beloved brands.

“If it’s symbolic of anything,” Dickow said, “it’s what’s possible.”

“We honor the history and team members who have built Buddy’s over generations,” added Ammori. “From ingredients and execution to consistency and flavor, pizza is at the center of everything we do, supported by our amazing people and a guest experience worthy of Buddy’s legacy.”

Despite the excitement surrounding the deal, the new ownership group is taking a measured approach. Their immediate focus is clear: refine operations, listen to longtime employees, and restore consistency across all locations. Growth will come later—and only if it’s earned.

For a brand so deeply woven into Detroit’s fabric, that restraint may be exactly what’s needed.

Because for Dickow and his partners, success isn’t just about expansion—it’s about ensuring that Buddy’s Pizza remains what it has always been: a slice of Detroit.