Joseph Ozbey shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Joseph, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about our customers is how deeply they connect with our story and authenticity. Many people come in for a pizza, but they end up becoming part of our family. We’ve met guests who plan road trips around visiting our different locations or who bring their children to show them where “real pizza” comes from. It’s amazing to see how a simple meal can create such strong memories and community.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Joseph Ozbey, and I’m one of the founders of Cugino Forno Pizzeria, an authentic Neapolitan-style pizzeria that started right here in North Carolina. I’ve always believed that great food brings people together — it’s about more than just taste, it’s about connection, culture, and community. That belief is at the core of everything we do.
Cugino Forno, which means “Cousin Oven” in Italian, was founded by three cousins who share that same passion for real, traditional pizza. We trained in Italy to learn the craft the right way, and we’re proud to bring that experience home — from our wood-fired ovens to our dough made daily with Italian “00” flour and imported ingredients.
What makes us special isn’t only our pizza, but the heart behind it. I’ve always been hands-on in everything we do — from choosing ingredients to welcoming guests — because I genuinely care about creating something meaningful for our community. Seeing families gather around our tables, sharing stories and laughs, is what keeps me motivated every single day.
Today, we’re continuing to grow and open new locations, but our mission remains the same: to share a piece of authentic Italy with every guest and make them feel like part of our family.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
It was my mother who saw me clearly before I could see myself. She always believed in me, even during times when I doubted my own path. She recognized my drive, my love for people, and my passion for creating and sharing something meaningful. Her encouragement and faith gave me the strength to take chances and work hard toward my dreams. A lot of who I am today — both personally and professionally — comes from the values she instilled in me: to stay humble, work with integrity, and never forget where you came from.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to trust the process and not be afraid of starting small. Every challenge and setback will shape you into who you’re meant to be. Stay patient, stay kind, and keep working hard — things have a way of coming together when your heart is in the right place.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The value I protect most is respect — for people, for our craft, and for our community. No matter how much we grow, I never want to lose that personal connection and humility that got us here.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I’m most at peace when I’m sharing a meal with my family or friends — the same way our guests do at Cugino Forno. Those moments remind me why we started this journey in the first place: to bring people togethe
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cuginoforno.com
- Instagram: cuginoforno
- Twitter: cuginoforno
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cuginoforno
- Yelp: Cugino Forno
- Youtube: Cugino Forno
Image Credits
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