Once-Homeless Pizza Chain Owner Opens Bed-Stuy Location

BED-STUY, NY — Champion Pizza chain owner Hakki Akdeniz — once sleeping on the streets in New York City — opened his first Brooklyn location in Bed-Stuy Friday.

Opening day for Champion Pizza's 10th New York City on Fulton Street between Bedford and Nostrand avenues was met with much fanfare and an approving grin from Mayor Eric Adams.

"We can’t wait to share our mouthwatering pies with even more pizza lovers in [Bed-Stuy]," Akdeniz said in an Instagram post. "We’ve worked hard to make our new location a cozy and welcoming spot for you to enjoy our delicious pies... Just enjoy the moment!"

The pizza shop will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday.

Beyond its thin crust, grandma's and square pizza slices, the shop has also become known for its philanthropic outreach and owner's story.

"At Champion Pizza, we believe that great pizza should bring people together, and we’re excited to see our new location become a hub for the Bed-Stuy community," Akdenaz said on Instagram.

Raised in Turkey, Akdeniz moved to New York City in 2001 with $240 dollars and he didn't know English, he told Adams on his Get Stuff Done-Cast in March. He eventually found himself at Bowery Mission and working at different pizza shops before owning his own.

By 2010, Akdeniz had won a pizza-making competition by spinning and lighting a pizza dough on fire, the New York Times reported.

With a huge social media following, including 30.5 million followers on Instagram, Akdeniz and Champion Pizza have become New York staples.

"If you want to be successful, work hard at being yourself," Akdeniz said in an Instagram post.