Brandon Hunt
Co-Founder & CEO
Detroit native and pizza visionary. Brandon brought the flavors of his hometown to Austin and never looked back — building via 313 into an iconic brand.
Our Story
About Via 313
From a backyard pizza trailer in Austin, Texas, to a beloved via 313 pizza institution — discover the passion, craft, and community behind every slice we serve.
Our Origin
Born in Detroit,
Raised in Austin
Via 313 was founded on a simple belief: that via 313 pizza — Detroit's legendary square-pan style — deserved a place at the table in Texas.
Brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt grew up eating the rectangular, crispy-edged pizzas of Detroit, Michigan. When they moved to Austin, they couldn't find anything that came close to the flavors they remembered. So in 2011, they built a small trailer, perfected their dough recipe, and started serving what they knew best.
The response was immediate. Lines formed down the block. Word spread. What started as a humble via313 trailer operation quickly became one of Austin's most talked-about food destinations — a testament to the power of authentic, carefully crafted food made with genuine love.
Today, Via 313 serves the same Detroit-rooted recipes, still made with the same dedication to quality, community, and bold flavor that defined us from day one.
"Detroit pizza is what we grew up on. We just wanted to share it." — Brandon Hunt, Co-Founder
Our Purpose
Mission & Vision
Everything we do at Via 313 is driven by a clear purpose — to bring people together through exceptional food, honest ingredients, and genuine hospitality.
Our Mission
To serve Detroit-style pizza with uncompromising quality — using authentic techniques, premium ingredients, and the same recipes that have defined via 313 pizza since our very first day.
Our Vision
To become the most trusted name in Detroit-style pizza across the United States — a place where every guest feels at home, every slice tells a story, and every visit leaves a lasting impression.
Our Promise
We promise that every via313 pizza leaving our kitchen meets the same high standard — crispy edges, airy dough, bold sauce, and generous toppings — exactly as our founders intended.
Milestones
Our History
Over a decade of growth, awards, and community — here's how Via 313 became the via 313 pizza story it is today.
2011
The Trailer Begins
Brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt launch the first Via 313 pizza trailer in Austin, TX — serving Detroit-style square pizza from a converted food truck parked on Rainey Street.
2012
via313 Goes Viral
Austin food critics and local media discover via313, launching the brand into citywide fame. Lines stretch around the block and a cult following is born overnight.
2015
First Brick-and-Mortar
Via 313 opens its first permanent restaurant location in Austin, TX — keeping the spirit of the trailer alive while offering a full dining room experience for the community.
2018
Expansion Across Texas
Via 313 expands to multiple Texas locations including Round Rock, bringing authentic Detroit-style pizza to new communities and thousands of new fans.
2021
A Decade of Detroit Pizza
Via 313 celebrates 10 years serving bold, authentic flavors — recognized by major food publications as one of the best pizza experiences in the United States.
2024
Growing the via313 Legacy
Via 313 continues to grow its footprint, embracing new technology, online ordering, and community partnerships — while staying true to the authentic pizza recipes that started it all.
The People
Meet Our Team
Behind every great slice of Via 313 pizza is a passionate team of people dedicated to craft, quality, and community.
Zane Hunt
Co-Founder & COO
The operational backbone of Via 313. Zane ensures every location delivers the same quality experience — from ingredient sourcing to kitchen standards.
Maria Gonzales
Head Chef
With 15 years of culinary expertise, Maria guards the sacred Via 313 dough recipe and continuously pushes the boundary of what Detroit-style pizza can be.
James Okafor
Community Director
James builds the bridges between Via 313 and the communities we serve — from local partnerships and events to the customer experiences that keep guests coming back.
What We Stand For
Our Core Values
Uncompromising Quality
Every Via 313 pizza is made with premium ingredients, hand-crafted dough, and authentic recipes. We never cut corners — quality is non-negotiable.
Community First
Via 313 exists because of our community. We source locally where possible, hire locally always, and give back to the neighborhoods that gave us our start.
Authentic Craft
Detroit-style pizza has a rich tradition. We honor that tradition — using the same steel-pan baking method, the same crispy-edged crust, and the same bold layered flavors.
Genuine Hospitality
From our founders to our kitchen staff, every person at Via 313 is committed to making guests feel welcomed, valued, and eager to return.
Continuous Innovation
While we respect our roots, we embrace new ideas — from seasonal toppings to online ordering — always finding better ways to serve our guests.