Fresh Brothers hopes to be big slice of the community

Fresh Brothers Pizza opened in the Village at Pacific Highlands Ranch on Oct. 26, just in time for Halloween, the biggest pizza day of the year followed by the Super Bowl.

“I’m ecstatic with the way the new store in Carmel Valley has turned out. This is a neat store for us because we’re surrounded by schools,” said founder and CEO Adam Goldberg. “We’re a community pizza place so we couldn’t be better strategically located.”

The Pacific Highlands Ranch store marks Fresh Brothers expansion into the San Diego region—they have 14 locations throughout Los Angeles and Orange County.

After 15 years in the television entertainment industry, Goldberg and his wife Debbie opened their first Fresh Brothers in 2008. The name references where it all began for Goldberg, working in his brother Scott’s pizzeria in Indiana, learning the trade with his hands in the sauce and delivering pies. Scott Goldberg was on hand for the opening and is heavily involved in training the staff, many of which are neighborhood students.

“We take a lot of pride in teaching our youth how to work their first job,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg said what sets Fresh Brothers apart is its high-end product — there are no additives, no preservatives and no GMOs and they are known for their excellent quality fresh California tomatoes, high-end mozzarella cheese and all-natural pepperoni.

While they do offer deep-dish, many of their pizzas are thin-crust, with skinny and “mega-grain” options. The Fresh Kids Special features a sauce created by Goldberg’s wife Debbie that includes five finely- ground vegetables mixed right into the sauce with kids none the wiser.

The restaurant also offers loaded build-your own salads and nothing at Fresh Brothers is ever fried: wings, bites, tenders and even the Fresh fries are baked. For those with special diets, Fresh Brothers offers an extensive gluten free menu as well as vegan options.

Every effort is taken to make Fresh Brothers a safe place for those who have allergies—it is a nut free environment.

With all of their locations, Goldberg said they look to become deeply integrated into the neighborhood by sponsoring local sports teams and fundraising for local schools, churches and temples and all kinds of organizations.

Fresh Brothers has wasted no time in making community connections: On Nov. 2 they are hosting a “Pay What You Want” fundraiser with Ashley Falls, Sage Canyon and Carmel Del Mar Schools. Families order whatever they want off the menu, select their price and 100 percent of the proceeds goes back to the school—it is typically a very successful fundraiser in all of their stores.

“Giving back and getting involved with the community is hugely important to us,” Goldberg said.

Fresh Brothers is located at 5950 Village Way next to The Baked Bear. For more information visit freshbrothers.com or call (858) 252-7000. Delivery is available within a four and half mile radius.