The Mall Pizza Story
Mall Pizza is the story of five teenage runaways from different backgrounds who form an unlikely friendship while working at a mall pizza joint in the late 1980s. Despite their differences, they bond over their shared rebellious spirit and rally against their oppressive boss amid harsh working conditions. After saving enough money, they quit their jobs and open their own pizza parlor. Their journey is not easy as their vindictive former boss and severe corporate heads intimidate them, trying to sabotage their venture. However, their unwavering resilience sees them through, pushing back against the threats to their business.
Years later, they remain together. Their hard-earned success has allowed them to establish a lifestyle brand celebrating their shared interests, from punk rock 'n' roll to cult horror and sci-fi monster movies. The story is a testament to the power of unity, resilience, and shared dreams.
Gather around like our five runaways, for good pizza, bad movies, and the time of your life. Never give up on your hopes and dreams!
Jesse Turner
Jesse is the stepdaughter of a wealthy businessman. Her mother is wife number six—the sixth blonde trophy wife. Her father was rarely home, and her mother has had multiple affairs. Even though she comes from high society, she finds the people trashy. She became an instant fan of Led Zeppelin, using their music as an escape from her unhappy family life. One night, she snuck out to see a KISS concert, entranced by the music, energy, and freedom it symbolized. Securing a backstage pass, she hit the road with the band, leaving behind her former life of discontent.
Tommy Rogers
Tommy hails from a working-class family and, like Jesse, is into hard rock heavy metal music. He has an alcoholic and abusive father. Tommy picked up the guitar at an early age and demonstrated a natural talent. That world of music became his escape from his harsh reality. The final straw came from a violent altercation with his father — his beloved guitar was shattered with a sledgehammer. The guitar was more than an instrument; it was a symbol of defiance. Its destruction instilled a fresh drive in Tommy to break away from his tormenting life.
Kai Nakamura
Kai is the son of a Japanese auto tech executive, both of his parents being well-educated. Unfortunately, his dyslexia resulted in poor academic performance, which attracted disappointment and resentment from his parents. The continuous humiliation led him to find solace in rebellious punk music. After failing the 8th grade for the second time, he left home, unable to face his parents, and dissolved into the unnoticed corners of the city.
Marisol Garcia
Marisol and her family migrated from Mexico as illegal immigrants. Her parents laboriously worked on a local farm where they were often met with mistreatment and discrimination. Desiring a better life for Marisol, they entrusted her to a white Christian family. However, the family treated her more like a worker than a child — denied education and forced into household chores. One day she found a discarded Walkman with an ABBA tape. It was her only solace until the Walkman broke, chewing up the cassette. That was the day Marisol walked out and never returned.
Darnell Jefferson
Darnell is from the inner city. His family is poor, his mom works at the hospital, and his dad was a school janitor until a gang shooting took his life. Determined not to remain poor, Darnell started dabbling in the drug trade at age 12. When a rival gang member demanded a cut of his business, a confrontation ensued. Guided by a flashback to one of his favorite kung fu movies, he disarmed the gang member — and has been on the run ever since.