Name of Business: Joe’s Pizza and Pasta Palace

Street address: 1217 Carrsville Highway, Franklin

Phone number: 562-5020

Operating hours: Mon-Thurs: 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri-Sat: 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday: noon-10 p.m.

E-mail address: www.joespizza-pasta.com

Nature of business: Authentic Italian family restaurant

owner: Joe Misseri

Year founded: 1990

Prior locations: Airway Shopping Center since 1978

Number of employees: 13

How’s business: Business is wonderful!

One thing you wish everyone knew about your business:  Everything is prepared to order. Our ingredients are always fresh and Chef Carlos and Chef Gianluca prepare each dish using traditional Italian recipes.  We also offer lunch and dinner specials.

Something you offer that a customer won’t find elsewhere: Our tiramisu is prepared in house by chef Gianluca. We also offer a large selection of salads.

Advice to young entrepreneurs: Be patient, work hard and stay focused.  Rome was not built in one day.

Your first job: Worked at a cantina in Palermo

Your role model (in business or in life generally): My father, he worked very hard and I learned a lot from him.  He taught me that working hard and taking pride in your work brings you success in many ways.

The key to a successful business is: The relationships you have with your customers and employees.  I consider a lot of my customers my friends as well. They are what keep my business going and I appreciate their patronage.  I also treat my employees with respect and make sure they do the same with our customers.