NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hunt Brothers Pizza co-founder Lonnie Hunt died peacefully in his sleep July 6, according to the company.
Hunt “lived a full life serving God, his family, his community and his employees,” the company said. “He was an inspirational force personally and professionally, always striving to embody the core guiding principles Hunt Brothers Pizza was founded upon—being a blessing to people.”
In 1991, Hunt and his brothers co-founded what is now Hunt Brothers Pizza, with each brother bringing their own strengths to the company. Lonnie Hunt’s drive, determination and innovation were critical to the now more than 30 years of success of the thriving family business, the company said.
Hunt Brothers Pizza, with more than 8,000 locations nationwide, is the largest made-to-order pizza brand in the convenience-store industry. It celebrated 30 years in July 2021.
“We remember Lonnie as living a well-lived life,” said Scott Hunt, Nashville, Tenn.-based Hunt Brothers Pizza CEO and nephew of Lonnie. “He loved his family, his wife, Darla; sons Victor, Chris and Austin; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, very deeply. He was a man of great faith and his beliefs gave both him and his family peace in his final days.”
Born on Nov. 21, 1936, in Evansville, Ind., Hunt was the second of seven children to Austin and Matilda Hunt.
Along with his brothers, he grew up working in the family business learning the ropes at his father’s restaurant, Austin’s Drive In, the company said. After his father died, Hunt took over management of the restaurant at age 17—only a junior in high school—with 40 full-time employees and five siblings at home. After his brother Don started Pepe’s Pizza in 1962, Hunt, alongside his brothers, built the business over the next two decades across the Southeast.
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