Dudley's G's Pizza World: Turning faith and family into pizza dough

DAMASCUS ‒ At the corner of faith and family sits a place serving up pizza, chicken, sandwiches and ice cream to the West Branch community.

Dudley's G's Pizza World, owned by Brian and Tara Dudley, opened May 21 at 15986 Salem-Alliance Road (U.S. Route 62), between Columbiana and Mahoning counties.

The Dudleys bought G's Pizza World − a regional favorite − from Hank and Michelle Price, slightly changed the name and expanded menu choices. Some of the new choices include a pickle pizza and sandwiches called "Dudwiches." They also added lunch hours.

The original G's was started by The Snyders Family.

"We've made a lot of changes," said Brian Dudley, 41. "But we didn't change the pizzas. The pizzas are still the original recipes."

'We spent a lot of time praying.'

For years, the Knox Township couple dreamed of having their own business, preferably in the food business. It never seemed like the right time.

Brian Dudley formerly worked as a sales manager for Wally Armour, but remains with the company while catering events for the operation with his wife.

"The timing was finally right," Tara Dudley, 40, said when the Peterses, their friends, were ready to retire. The Dudleys purchased the G's Pizza name and the Damascus location. The couple also owns the G's Pizza name, but not the operations, at two other locations.

The couple also brought their children − Hayden, Addison and Rowan − and their strong Christian faith into the new family business. The pizza shop's motto is "The Road to Damascus led me here," adopting the premise that the Dudleys made a transformative decision.

"We spent a lot of time praying that God would open the doors ... and here we are," Tara Dudley said. "It's definitely been a whole family event. It's been good."

She added: "I hope and pray that in the future, a few years down the road, (the kids) are able to look back and remember the crazy summer that mom and dad bought a pizza shop."

Have you ever eaten a pickle pizza? Try one at Dudley's.

Dudley's G's Pizza is open 4 to 9 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. They have about 21 employees, most of whom are in high school.

"Our employees are amazing," Tara Dudley said.

All of the dough is made in-house. All toppings and salads are made fresh. There are 18 specialty pizzas, including Nashville Hot and Mac & Cheese. The Piggy Pie, a meaty pizza, and the Gherkin are popular draws.

The Gherkin has pickles, bacon and ranch dressing. "People love it," Tara Dudley said.

Brian Dudley believes people "like to try new things," and the Gherkin has found an audience.

Their large menu also includes sandwiches, desserts, salads, chicken, JoJos, ice cream, milkshakes and doggy treats.

The Dudleys want to be servants for their community

In addition to running a business for profit, the Dudleys have embraced opportunities to serve the community. For example, they recently partnered with Alliance-based Clothed in Righteousness to promote the hot meal ministry and help collect socks for the homeless.

They also recently served pizza, salads and ice cream at the Alliance ministry.

"When we started this, we knew we wanted to be largely involved in the community. We've already done a couple things with the church across the street and with our local schools," Tara Dudley said.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. On X (formerly Twitter): @bduerREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Dudley's G's Pizza World in Damascus feeds a community