Rochester Pizza Shop Sees Super Bowl Sunday Order Surge

Chester Cab Pizza on Park Avenue prepares for busy night as customers order ahead of the big game.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Super Bowl Sunday was a busy night for local pizza shops in Rochester, New York, including Chester Cab Pizza on Park Avenue. Owner Dess Ivanov and his team kicked off preparations early Sunday morning, rolling dough and handling pre-orders. The shop received around 85 orders by kickoff and anticipated over 100 orders by night's end, a significant number for the small shop. Many customers were familiar faces, and business slowed during the game but picked up again at halftime.

Why it matters

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the busiest days of the year for pizza shops across the country, as fans gather to watch the big game and order food. This story highlights how a local pizza shop in Rochester, New York, prepared for and handled the surge in orders, providing insight into the challenges and opportunities small businesses face during major sporting events.

The details

Chester Cab Pizza on Park Avenue in Rochester, New York, saw a significant increase in orders on Super Bowl Sunday. Owner Dess Ivanov and his team started preparations early in the morning, rolling dough and handling pre-orders. By kickoff, the shop had received around 85 orders and anticipated over 100 orders by the end of the night, a substantial number for the small business. Many customers were familiar faces, and business slowed during the game but picked up again at halftime. After the game, Ivanov and his team focused on cleanup and restocking pizza boxes for the next day.

  • Super Bowl Sunday was February 9, 2026.
  • Preparations started early Sunday morning.
  • By kickoff at 6:30 pm, Chester Cab Pizza had received around 85 orders.
  • Ivanov anticipated over 100 orders by the end of the night.

The players

Dess Ivanov

The owner of Chester Cab Pizza on Park Avenue in Rochester, New York.

Gabriel Maneiro

A customer who was on pizza duty for his friends, ordering from Chester Cab Pizza.

Alexandria Menteer

A regular customer at Chester Cab Pizza who came to grab a pizza and watch the Super Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“Super Bowl Sunday is super busy for about three hours. The game started 6:30, but at 4 we're full speed.”

— Dess Ivanov, Owner (whec.com)

“I don't really like either team but I dislike the Patriots a lot. So I definitely got Seahawks.”

— Gabriel Maneiro, Customer (whec.com)

“I mean, I expected it to be super busy, but I've been here before and they've always taken good care of me here.”

— Alexandria Menteer, Customer (whec.com)

What’s next

Chester Cab Pizza will likely see another surge in orders on the day of the next Super Bowl, as fans gather to watch the big game and order food from local pizza shops.

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of preparation and adaptability for small businesses during major sporting events like the Super Bowl, which can bring a significant increase in customer demand. Chester Cab Pizza's ability to handle the surge in orders and provide a positive experience for its customers demonstrates the value of strong operational planning and a dedicated team.