TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants and MOD Pizza Unveil "The Isaac"

TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants (TSFR), a Michigan-based family-owned restaurant group with an expansive portfolio of casual, quick service and family dining restaurants throughout the state, and its 11 Michigan MOD Pizza restaurants has unveiled the first Impact Pizza – The Isaac, named after a young customer who connected with his local MOD Squad and sadly died by suicide last year. TSFR Brand Leader of MOD Pizza Jake Schostak made the announcement.

“Suicide prevention and mental health awareness are important topics to rally behind now more than ever,” Schostak said. “At MOD, we make pizza to serve people – we call it Spreading MODness, and we can’t think of a better way to serve the community and call attention to this important issue than by serving the Isaac. We’re hoping that by sharing Isaac’s story, we’ll make a lasting impact on our customers and the community we serve.”

The Isaac features an olive oil base, topped with garlic, ricotta cheese, sliced red onion, roasted red tomatoes, finished with a swirl of balsamic vinaigrette and topped with a sprinkle of fresh basil.

“MOD was Isaac’s happy place. A place where he felt loved and accepted, without question. A place where, when I knew he was there, I could exhale knowing he was in a good place,” said Jenn Pedley, Isaac’s mother. “Many places grimace when a crowd of young feisty boys come flooding into their restaurant, but not MOD. The culture of acceptance they have created is not only forging a new kind of restaurant, but an empowering environment where people can go above and beyond to make a difference. To be able to lend Isaac’s name to help educate others has been incredibly healing for our family.”

The Isaac was launched in partnership with The Jed Foundation (JED), a nonprofit organization working to shine a light on suicide and mental health in teens and young adults.

“Young adulthood is a time of growth and transition that can bring on significant challenges for many,” said John MacPhee, Executive Director/CEO, JED. “We are excited to partner with MOD Pizza to spread awareness within their communities about suicide prevention, mental health and resources available for teens and young adults. MOD’s generous contribution to support JED will have a direct impact on the number of young people we are able to reach, and help us continue to expand our programs in high schools and on college campuses.” Learn more about mental health issues and what to do if you’re worried about yourself or a friend at jedfoundation.org/help.

MOD Pizza uses fresh-pressed dough and signature sauces, including MOD red sauce and MOD white sauce. Guests can create their own pizzas and salads, using any combination of 30 featured toppings, or they can choose from a menu of MOD classics. Each pizza is hand-cooked in an 800-degree oven in just minutes, and salads are hand-tossed in front of the customer. MOD Pizza also serves local draft beers, wine, handspun milkshakes and house-made lemonades and iced teas.

In late 2014, TSFR announced its plans to launch 25 MOD Pizza locations in Michigan over the next five years. Since then, TSFR has opened its first 11 MOD Pizza locations in Troy, Livonia, Northville, Rochester Hills, Woodhaven, Brighton, Canton and Chesterfield, and three in Shelby Township. Another two locations are underway in Southgate and Troy. For more information on TSFR and its MOD Pizza locations, visit www.teamschostak.com.

About TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants

Livonia, Mich.-based TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants is a family-owned restaurant group with an expansive portfolio of casual dining, quick service and family dining restaurants throughout the state of Michigan. With a commitment to quality operations, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants is an industry leader in attracting, developing and retaining the most talented work force that proudly delights its guests and sets an unmatched standard of excellence. For the past three decades, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants has expanded its restaurant catalog to include 64 Applebee’s, 27 Olga’s Kitchen restaurants and five Del Taco restaurants. In 2014, TSFR announced plans to launch 25 MOD Pizza restaurants in Michigan and since they have opened its first 10 locations. For more information, visit www.teamschostak.com.

About MOD

MOD Pizza is the pioneer of the fast casual pizza segment, founded in Seattle in 2008 by entrepreneurs Scott and Ally Svenson. MOD's individual artisan-style pizzas are made on demand, allowing customers to create their own pizzas and salads, using fresh-pressed dough, signature sauces and over 30 toppings, all for one incredible price. MOD is committed to creating a positive social impact in the communities it serves, by not only creating a cool place to eat, but an inspired place to work. MOD earned a spot on the Inc. 500 list as a fastest growing private company in America, and was recognized by Fortune as one of the “20 Best Workplaces in Retail” and “Best Workplaces for Millennials” for its progressive hiring practices, career growth opportunities and workplace benefits. MOD currently has over 250 locations across 24 states and the UK. For more information, please visit www.modpizza.com or connect with the brand via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.