Small Business Q&A: Christos' Pizza

owner Christos Giannes is responsible for keeping the business running efficiently.

The restaurant's marketing efforts focus on sponsoring nonprofits, schools and sports teams.

Giannes said that he doesn't buy advertising space. All the marketing money is spent supporting the community.

Q. What's the best thing about your job?
A. The interaction with so many people. It's fascinating to see everybody. We're in the people business.

Q. What is the best thing about being in East Cobb?
A. Cobb is dynamic and well run from every aspect.

Q. Why did you choose to open your business here?
A. When we were looking for a location we looked at demographic profiles of places. This area has the right mix of offices and homes.

Q. Why did you pick this kind of business?
A. I like food. Like people. It's easy to be gracious. Greece is very hospitable, accommodating, as a society. It's natural, for a lot of Greeks, to go into the restaurant business.

Q. How long have you been in business?
A. We opened in 1980.

Q. How did your business get started?
A. My parents owned and ran restaurants in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island when I was growing up. I didn't hang around the businesses much. After I went and got an English degree my father said that I needed to get a job.

So I thought about it, I called him and told him that I'll open a restaurant. He thought I was crazy. He said, "You hate working here" and then I told him that my brother, Sandy, is going to be my partner. He couldn't believe it and handed the phone to my mother. They thought we were crazy. But, it's been great.

We lost Sandy, he passed earlier this year. He was the day-to-day hands-on guy. My parents had doubts in the beginning, but running a business with my brother worked out great.

Q. Do you have advice for anyone who'd like to start a small business in this area?
A. Stick with it. Pick a solid plan and stick with it. It'll be a lot of work in the beginning and no matter how much you know going in you will learn more once you get into it.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know?
A. We're moving back to the corner of Powers Ferry and Terrell Mill after 17 years at this location. Our new place should be open January 2012.

Greek cuisine has a lot of baked food, roasted lamb, pasta, and stuffed tomatoes. We'll be expanding the menu and adding a market to sell Greek stuff.

Christos Pizza is presently located at 2900 Delk Rd., near Publix. For more information, call 770-952-1965.