Blackjack Pizza-Stapleton, Denver

After working for Dominos Pizza for years, Vince Schmuhl decided that he could do a better job of preparing and delivering quality pies to people's homes. He challenged the nationwide chain's dominance in the region by founding the first Blackjack Pizza on June 29, 1983.

Although delivering oven-fresh pies within 30 minutes was still a major goal for Schmuhl, he also emphasized the importance of quality ingredients, such as never-frozen dough. This dedication to quality and speedy service allowed Blackjack Pizza to not only survive, but also thrive, and the chain now includes more than 40 stores in four states.

In addition to choosing from seven signature pies, customers can build their own order from crust to toppings. Up to four savory, tangy, and piquant sauces form the base and are topped with any of the three cheeses, seven meats, and 10 freshly diced vegetables. Regardless of what they order, they can always rest assured their food never contains MSG, peanuts, or peanut oil.