In 2007...
Woodstock's Santa Cruz joined the Woodstock's family of restaurants. Just like the Santa Cruz location, all of these restaurants have the same ownership team & they are all located in college towns in California starting in 1980 in San Luis Obispo.
Back in the day, Chuck Woodstock and his business partner Mike Chew, along with Jeff Ambrose as their General Manager and co-owner, began with a simple formula that continues to this day. They wanted to create a fun, student-oriented atmosphere, and to offer classic pizzas that surpassed anything they’d tried elsewhere. One of Chuck’s innovations was to put sauce in the folded-over crust. He also insisted on putting more toppings on the pizza than any of his competitors did. Ideally, you should get a taste of every topping in each bite of a Woodstock’s pizza. Sadly, Chuck and Chew passed away in a private plane accident in 1985, but their legacy continues at Woodstock’s.
The ownership of Woodstock’s was split among Chuck and Chew’s family members, and in 1990, they promoted Jeff to President of Woodstock’s Pizza in California. In 2001, Jeff and Laura Ambrose purchased Woodstock’s from the Woodstock and Chew families. So Jeff, who began as Chuck’s delivery driver in Corvallis, ultimately became owner of all five California Woodstock’s.
Although the ownership has changed, the founding principles remain the same. The dough is still handmade each day, we still use Chuck’s secret sauce recipe, we insist on using the freshest ingredients available, we still load on the toppings, and we teach every employee to make each pizza as if it were for their best friend.
Since the very beginning Woodstock’s has had a policy of supporting numerous campus and community organizations by hosting fundraisers in our restaurant. Through the years, we’ve given away thousands of dollars to local nonprofit groups. We also encourage group business, knowing that pizza is a great way to eat together. And with our longevity and ties to San Diego State, we now have tens of thousands of Woodstock’s alumni who still make it a point to visit us whenever they’re in town.
Woodstock’s has sister locations in Chico (near Chico State), San Luis Obispo (CalPoly), Isla Vista (UC Santa Barbara) and San Diego (SDSU & PB). The original Woodstock’s Pizza in Corvallis, Oregon is owned by Chuck’s wife, Carol Lee Woodstock.
Mission
Our mission is to earn loyal customers and team members who uniquely regard Woodstock’s as the Ultimate Pizza Experience.
To earn the distinction of being the Ultimate Pizza Experience we will:
• Prepare every customer’s meal with individual attention.
• Use the freshest, best tasting ingredients.
• Consistently create outstanding, unique pizzas and accompaniments that are widely-regarded
as the best ever, anywhere!
• Treat each and every customer with friendliness, respect and courtesy.
• Provide outstanding value that keeps customers returning with uncommon frequency.
• Be recognized as a fun and outstanding place to work.
• Provide a fun-filled festive atmosphere.
Woodstock’s will encourage our team members to work hard and have fun.
Woodstock’s will be regarded as a reputable, well-run company by all of our business partners and team members.
Woodstock’s will strengthen and give back to the communities we serve by fostering partnerships with local non-profit organizations.
Awards
3rd place (2008) BEST PIZZA in the Metro (now Santa Cruz Weekly) Goldies.
2nd place (2009) BEST PIZZA in the Metro (now Santa Cruz Weekly) Goldies.
