John Soranno
Co-Founder & Head Pizzaiolo
The visionary behind Punch Pizza, John studied authentic Neapolitan technique in Naples before bringing that passion back to Minnesota in 1996.
Our Roots
A Story Born
From True Passion
It all began when John Soranno and Shelly Hade made the bold decision to bring authentic Neapolitan-style pizza to the Twin Cities. Inspired by the centuries-old craft of Italian pizza-making, they opened the first Punch Pizza in St. Paul, Minnesota, armed with little more than a hand-built wood-fired oven and an unwavering commitment to quality.
The name "Punch" was chosen to reflect something bold, direct, and full of character — just like the pizza itself. Using only the finest imported San Marzano tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella, and premium local produce, every pie is baked in a blazing 900°F wood-fired oven, charring the crust to perfection in under 90 seconds.
Nearly three decades later, Punch Pizza has grown to multiple beloved locations across Minnesota, but the heart of what we do has never changed: making exceptional pizza the way it was meant to be made.
Wood-fired at 900°F
Fresh daily ingredients
Award-winning recipes
Locally rooted, MN proud
