Behind the Doors: Pizza Ranch marks 30 years of feeding, supporting Brandon area
By:
Jamie Hult, Staff writer
Owner and president Aaron Hansen is proud of Pizza Ranch’s partnership with the Brandon Valley School District, athletic teams and its relationships with patrons. “We absolutely love our community and dedicate ourselves to it,” he said. Jamie Hult/BV Journal
Isak Moschell preps a taco pizza, one of the Ranch’s many specialty pies.
Brandon's Pizza Ranch turns 30 years this month.
The original Brandon Pizza Ranch staff with Darrell Vander Esch in the back right and Jerry Vander Esch in the back left. "We have had tons of great employees over the years and many from the same families," Darryl Vander Esch said.
Pizza Ranch has been feeding and supporting Brandon for 30 years – and they’re not with either done yet.
The local franchise opened Sept. 1, 1988, and owners are marking the milestone with a little something for customers: Guest Appreciation Days this weekend with “throwback pricing.”
“We feel we will keep building this event each year to something a little bigger and better,” said owner and president Aaron Hansen, also known by his longtime nickname, “Bubba.”
Hansen started at Pizza Ranch washing dishes in the 11th grade. Twenty-one years later, he’s the guy opening the doors at midnight when a Brandon Valley High School team wins a state championship and wants somewhere to celebrate.
After clean-up, Hansen’s practically pulled a double, but those nights of no sleep are some of his best memories.
“We like to be known for having that love and involvement in our community,” he said.
Seth Weber helps manage the kitchen, dining room and staff, which hovers around 60 employees.
Most are Brandon Valley High School students.
“Kids are busy. We have a big staff so we can cover everything, and kids still get to be a kid,” Weber said. “Getting the chance to work with a lot of the kids coming through town, watching them grow up – that’s been a neat thing to see.”
Pizza Ranch doesn’t just staff local students; it also supports Brandon Valley schools, sports and activities.
“There’s more to life than what you give; there’s also what you get back,” Hansen said. “I think that’s huge – since 2008 we’ve donated over $100,000 to the school system alone.”
Every Tuesday night, 10 percent of proceeds are donated to one of the four elementary schools. Pizza Ranch also delivers around 170 pies for Freshman Unity Day and concessions to all BVHS home games.
“Football, volleyball, soccer, tennis – pretty much any and every sporting event, we touch,” Weber said. “We have a big partnership with the school. We try to do everything we can with the school; it’s such a crucial part of the community.”
Darrell Vander Esch brought Pizza Ranch to Brandon with his brother, Jerry, in 1988.
Vander Esch wasn’t a Pizza Ranch regular until a restaurant opened in Hawarden, Iowa.
“I really liked it, and it wasn’t just because my brother owned it,” he said.
The Brandon store was the 23rd to open.
“We liked Brandon so much, we just dove into it,” said Vander Esch, who also served as a volunteer Lynx football coach.
Hansen took over at the 25-year mark.
“It felt pretty good to hand the reigns over not to some outsider, but to a full insider,” Vander Esch said.
The restaurant is a regular at fundraisers, too, from slicing pizza for BV MatCats and IceCats events to sponsoring the baseball association’s Field of Dreams and partnering with the track and field program for the annual Race to the Ranch.
“We absolutely love our community and dedicate ourselves to it,” Hansen said. “From hosting weekly fundraisers for nonprofit groups to schools, we are always giving back to our community on the financial side.”
Brandon Pizza Ranch staff have volunteered at The Banquet, The Mission – even pitching in to help Garretson following a significant storm a few years back.
About 15 crew members piled into the Pizza Ranch suburban with a trailer in tow and dedicated two days to citywide cleanup efforts.
“We like to be known for that type of support, and we look forward to providing that support to our community,” Hansen said.
He bounces back and forth between the Brandon and East 10th Street stores, handling everything from marketing to fixing toilets – though he’s glad that his plumbing skills are in less demand.
Pizza Ranch’s fleet of yellow vans are frequently on the go, though Hansen still gets questions as to whether they deliver, especially their chicken – “Yes, always! Barring a major snowstorm, we deliver,” he said – and they cater large events.
The restaurant also stays busy behind the doors, and it’s not unusual to see most of the 300 seats filled and the party rooms packed.
“We try to work our tails off in the back so it doesn’t show,” Weber said. “It’s like a duck – under water, the feet are going absolutely nuts, but it’s totally calm on top.”
Customer favorites include the new stuff crust and buffalo chicken pizza – but the kitchen cooks up more than pizza.
“People love our chicken,” Hansen enthused. “It has the perfect coating of spices and is broasted, not fried.”
Pizza Ranch is also known for its ability to fill special buffet requests on the fly.
“Basically, anything you want on a pizza, we’ll do it,” Weber said.
In a community with several pizza options, Hansen said staff is key to Pizza Ranch’s 30-year run.
“It seems like anymore almost anyone can open a business and offer a product. We know it’s not just what our guests receive from us; it’s how they have received it as well, and it all starts with our crew,” Hansen said.
Brandon’s Pizza Ranch often ranks as one of the top-selling stores in the franchise and gets awards for its customer service and cleanliness. In 2010, they earned the Crew of the Year award, which outfitted each of the 70-member staff with a customized pair of Nike tennis shoes.
Weber, Preston Plautz and Austin Tuenge are part-owners who help make the business tick.
“It’s been a rewarding experience to manage all three individuals then and now give them the keys to drive our stores,” Hansen said.
Weber enjoys the people most, like daytime front-house manager Kim Matzke, whom he described as “one of the hardest workers for anyone who gets to work with her.”
Then, there are the customers and the community.
Pizza Ranch proudly hosts the Brandon Lions Club monthly meetings and annual cancer survivor picnic for Sanford youth.
“For me, honestly, I feel we actually are a big part of the community in and around Brandon,” Weber said. “People would be surprised by how much we touch and work groups in and around the area daily.”
Kids eat free Tuesday nights, and many families take advantage of the next-door proximity of County Fair’s inflatables, bumper cars, games and prizes.
Pizza Ranch is located at 202 S. Splitrock Blvd., Brandon. Reach the restaurant at 605-582-6322.
Customers can enjoy discounted buffets during Guest Appreciation Days this Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Brandon and East 10th Street locations.
