Owner Jeremy Long was born and raised in Kansas City. He got his start in the restaurant industry at the age of 12, working in a family-owned fried chicken restaurant. Those early years made an indelible impression on Jeremy and would lead to a lifelong passion for food and the service industry. Through high school and college he worked in local restaurants and bars as a cook, server, and bartender while earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, Henry W. Bloch School of Business. 

 

After a few raucous years of ski bumming in Steamboat, CO and Lake Tahoe, CA, Jeremy transitioned to a corporate job in the commercial package printing industry. That job would move him to some of North America’s greatest food cities: Vancouver, BC, Los Angeles, CA, and Chicago, IL. 

 

While bellied up to his friend’s bar on the north side of Chicago one night, Jeremy was lamenting the corporate life. His friend, Guido, could hear in Jeremy’s voice a longing for change, and suddenly Guido had an idea. Guido's father came from a small town in Tuscany where his family owned a world class restaurant. Guido called a cousin in Italy to ask if they had any need for an American boy on staff. By the end of that night, they struck a deal. Jeremy put in his two weeks the next day.

 

Jeremy took off for Barga, Toscana,  a tiny mountainside village in central Italy. Living in the Tuscan village, working in a world-class restaurant, and experiencing the Italian pace of life would lay the foundation for Dispatch Pizza. 

 

Food, drink, and fun weren’t the only benefits of living in Italy. Another chance encounter while traveling in Italy led to Jeremy’s introduction to Kelly, a beautiful American girl – from Kansas City, no less. Kelly and Jeremy spent a few magical weeks in Italy traveling, sharing meals, and falling in love. When Kelly had to leave for the states, Jeremy wasn’t too far behind her. They moved to Los Angeles where Kelly worked as an actress and Jeremy as a waiter for several years. Following the births of their three kids – Levi, Sunny & Josephine – Jeremy and Kelly realized they were ready for their next adventure to take place back home in Kansas City. 

 

Jeremy and Kelly returned to Kansas City with the desire to combine the love, passion, and experiences they’d shared over the years and create something new. They fell in love with each other while sharing meals in Italy, so they wanted to bring a bit of their love for Italy back to their hometown. Working in Barga, Italy taught Jeremy that the best food in the world is simple and intentional. A lifetime in the service industry has led to a passion for fine dining and luxury service. Starting a family has brought focus to community, service, and infusing love into all you do. 

 

Dispatch Pizza is the culmination of all these experiences, and these values are what Dispatch Pizza is all about. Perfect food. Superb service. Exquisite moments.