Our Story

Six Decades of St. Louis Pizza Tradition

From a single corner shop in 1964 to a beloved St. Louis institution — we've been crafting the city's signature thin-crust pizza with the same passion, the same provel cheese blend, and the same family spirit every single day.

Imos Pizza kitchen with fresh ingredients being prepared

1964 Founded in
St. Louis, MO

How It All Began

A Pizza Story Born in St. Louis

In 1964, Ed and Margie Imo opened the very first Imo's Pizza on Thurman Avenue with a simple dream: serve the finest, crispiest thin-crust pizza St. Louis had ever tasted.

What made their recipe extraordinary was the signature provel cheese — a creamy, smoky blend exclusive to St. Louis — layered generously on a razor-thin cracker crust. That combination became the gold standard for pizza in the region and earned Imo's a permanent place in the hearts of St. Louis families.

Over the decades, the Imo family passed down recipes, values, and a relentless dedication to quality. Every pizza is still crafted by hand, using fresh ingredients sourced from trusted local partners. Nothing ships frozen. Nothing is cut on corners.

Today, with over 90 locations across Missouri, Illinois, and Kansas, Imo's Pizza continues to serve the communities it has grown alongside — one perfectly square-cut pie at a time.

View Our Menu

60+ Years of Excellence

90+ Locations

1M+ Happy Customers

3 States Served

What Drives Us

Our Mission & Core Values

Everything we do is guided by a commitment to great food, genuine hospitality, and giving back to the communities that have made us who we are.

Made with Love

Every pizza is hand-crafted with genuine care. We don't believe in shortcuts — only in the joy of a meal made with heart.

Fresh Ingredients

We source quality ingredients daily — fresh dough, locally made provel cheese, and vegetables delivered each morning.

Community First

Imo's is woven into the fabric of St. Louis life. We support local schools, events, and neighborhoods that have supported us for generations.

Consistent Quality

Whether it's your first Imo's or your thousandth, every bite should taste exactly like you remember. That's our promise.

Family Heritage

Our recipes have been passed down through generations of the Imo family. Tradition isn't just a word — it's the foundation of every pie.

Fast & Reliable

We respect your time. Our streamlined kitchens are built for speed without ever sacrificing the quality you expect from Imo's.

Warm Hospitality

We train every team member to treat guests like neighbors — because in St. Louis, that's exactly what you are to us.

Sustainable Practices

We're actively reducing our environmental footprint through eco-friendly packaging, energy-efficient equipment, and waste reduction programs.

The People Behind the Pizza

Meet Our Leadership Team

Passionate, experienced, and dedicated — our leadership team brings decades of combined expertise to keep Imo's at the top of St. Louis dining.

James Imo

Chief Executive Officer

Third-generation heir to the Imo legacy, James has led the company's modern expansion while honoring the traditions that made Imo's great.

Lisa Chen

Head of Culinary

A classically trained chef who fell in love with St. Louis-style pizza. Lisa oversees all recipe development and ingredient quality standards company-wide.

Marcus Webb

Operations Director

With 18 years in food service operations, Marcus ensures every Imo's location delivers the same seamless experience from kitchen to front door.

Angela Torres

Community Relations

Angela leads Imo's community engagement initiatives, from school fundraisers to neighborhood events, keeping the brand rooted in what matters most.

Our Journey

Six Decades of History

From a single storefront to a regional icon — here's the story of how Imo's grew into the beloved brand it is today.

1964

The First Slice

Ed and Margie Imo open the first Imo's Pizza on Thurman Avenue in St. Louis. The cracker-thin crust and provel cheese combination is an instant neighborhood hit.

1972

First Expansion

Demand grows beyond the original location. Imo's opens its second and third locations in south St. Louis, introducing the brand to new neighborhoods across the city.

1980

Franchise Program Launched

Imo's launches its first official franchise program, allowing passionate pizza entrepreneurs to bring the signature St. Louis-style recipe to their own communities.

1991

Crossing State Lines

Imo's expands beyond Missouri for the first time, opening locations in southern Illinois. The St. Louis-style pizza earns a fervent following across the state border.

2003

50 Locations Milestone

Imo's celebrates opening its 50th location. The brand is now a St. Louis cultural institution, referenced in local media and celebrated as an essential part of city life.

2012

Online Ordering Launched

Imo's embraces the digital age with a full online ordering platform and mobile-friendly experience, making it easier than ever to get a pizza to your door.

2019

Kansas Expansion

Imo's enters the Kansas market, bringing the provel and cracker-crust experience to a brand-new audience while maintaining the quality standards set since 1964.

2024

60 Years & Counting

Imo's celebrates its 60th anniversary with 90+ locations and over a million loyal customers. The same recipe. The same love. Still going strong after six decades.

Inside Imo's

A Peek Behind the Counter

Fresh ingredients, skilled hands, and a whole lot of love go into every pizza we make.

Restaurant interior with warm lighting and welcoming atmosphere

Pizza ingredients and toppings laid out fresh