Pizza Factory has a new owner

Pizza Factory has a new owner, Frank Almanza, who hopes to continue delivering the best dining experience fn the community.

Almanza took over the restaurant last November and said he has been warmly welcomed.

He is originally from Los Angeles, but moved to Kern County in 2006 when he got hired by the California Department of Corrections. He has lived in Kern County ever since.

Almanza has had a fruitful career in law enforcement, first as a correctional officer and then as a fire captain, the position he currently holds working at the Wasco State Prison, where he has been for the last 17 years.

He is a US Navy veteran deployed to Iraq twice and said his experience in the military taught him skills he now uses as a restauranteur.

In addition, Almanza has a bachelor's degree in business from the University of Phoenix.

The restaurant's operation is family-run, with his two teenage children and parents lending a hand. "They help clean and sanitize to the get the restaurant looking good. We do a lot of work behind the scenes," Almanza said.

He also counts on the support of his girlfriend, Margarita, who is his business partner.

Almanza is a seasoned entrepreneur, as he also owns an ice cream shop in Wasco, La Michoacana Premier, since August 2022.

He said people from Bakersfield, Delano and Shafter come to the Wasco Pizza Factory location because of the quality of food.

"All of our pizzas are made from scratch with fresh ingredients, from the dough to the cheese to the sauce. We don't buy anything pre-made in any way."

Pizza Factory offers wings, pastas, sandwiches, salads, potato wedges, beer and wine.

"We offer a full dining experience that can seat up to 200 with five televisions within the restau-rant. We have a party room that fits 40-50 people and a game room for the kids to enjoy them-selves. It is a family environment."

In the next few months, they hope also to have karaoke.

"In the past, there have been bingo and trivia night. That is something we are considering bring-ing back."

Almanza said they have the best value in town as far as buffets, which they offer Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They also have daily specials like Wing Wednesdays for discounted prices.

Since taking over the restaurant, Almanza has made it a point to become a part of the communi-ty. He has sponsored local cheer, football and wrestling teams.

He also has hired locally.

"Our staff are teens in junior high or high school ages 16 to 18."

He said it's important to him to work with his staff and create a schedule so they can work around being college students or fulfilling their other extracurricular activities.

Almanza also said that he wants the public to have a great experience, "So they see the difference between a national brand like Dominos and us. I believe we provide above and beyond those na-tional brands."

Pizza Factory, 2325 Highway 46 ,is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m. For more information or to place an order for delivery, call 661-240-5262. You can also follow them on Facebook.