A Slice of the Pie

Schmuhl Brothers Put Pizzazz in Pizza

| Alumni Profile | by Robbie Clarke ’09

Vince and Larry Schmuhl hit the jackpot, literally, by creating a pizza empire known as Blackjack Pizza. University of Northern Colorado alumnus Vince Schmuhl (BA–81) is the founder of Blackjack Pizza and his brother, Larry Schmuhl (BA–81), also a UNC alumnus, is the vice president.

Before coming to UNC, Vince worked for two years in construction. When Larry graduated high school, they both decided to go to UNC and get degrees in business. Coming from a family with seven children, a significant portion of the UNC college bill was Vince and Larry’s to figure out on their own. To pay for their college expenses, Vince took a job at Domino’s, which would later spark his interest in owning a pizza shop. Larry worked at the Greeley Holiday Inn.

“Our dad paid for as much as he could, then he told us the rest was our responsibility,” Larry said.

After opening his first Blackjack restaurant in Federal Heights, Colo., in 1983, Vince was surprised to find the pizza joint was more successful than expected. Vince decided to open a second store in Greeley and generate some pizza competition by creating an affordable, high-quality pizza for one of the most predominant populations of Greeley: college students.

“It just seemed like Domino’s had the monopoly in Greeley,” Vince said. “There was no other pizza place that delivered. It seemed like a no-brainer.”

With the success of his first stores, Vince continued to open one after another. He decided to offer franchising opportunities in 1988 because there were just too many stores to run on his own. It was not until 1992 while installing new computers in the stores that Larry, who had been working in insurance, decided to partner up with his brother.

Both Vince and Larry credit the UNC business school for its influential professors. Specifically mentioning classes such as marketing strategies with Joseph Clithero, finance with Phil Shade and management with Wilfred Jacques, the brothers praise the university for treating students as people, not numbers.

“The classes were smaller and more personalized,” Larry said. “It is just more personable.”

Vince and Larry are both married with children and are still very active in the daily happenings of each Blackjack Pizza. Since the first store opened its doors in 1983, more than 40 stores have been launched in five states with more on the way

Alumni Snapshot

Name: Vince Schmuhl
Professional Title: Founder, Blackjack Pizza
UNC Degree: BA, Business, 1981
Hometown: Denver
Current residence: Greeley

Name: Larry Schmuhl
Professional Title: Vice President,, Blackjack Pizza
UNC Degree: BA, Business, 1981
Hometown: Denver
Current residence: Broomfield