Jet's Pizza - Hilliard

Joshua Jernigan has worked at Jet’s Pizza, located just south of Downtown at 3858 Main St., since the Michigan-based franchise opened what would become its first Ohio store here in 2008. Joshua, 32, started when he was 14. “I was the first employee hired at the first Ohio location - one of youngest managers and went on to be GM and eventually made my way up to being an owner,” he said. Joshua is also part-owner of a Jet’s in Heath, Ohio. All told, Jet’s has some 25 locations around the state.

Joshua doesn’t know why Hilliard was selected as Jet’s first Ohio location but said the decision was wise. “There are a lot of special events and we are smack dab in the middle of all the schools as well. A lot of traffic comes through.”

The Hilliard Jet’s shop often provides food at discount or no cost for the Historical Society as well as for the schools. “Jet’s Pizza has faithfully supported the Historical Society for over eight years. They have generously provided pizzas for our volunteers for Village work sessions and event setups whenever asked,” said society President Bob Eggerichs.

Joshua said, “We help out quite a bit in the community to show people we are here. The main thing we do with the schools is Spirit Night. A certain amount of sales goes back to the school and it helps out with the PTA and other groups.”

Jet’s also sponsors some school sports teams and provides food for special teacher and classroom events.

Joshua grew up in the Hilliard area and lives now in Columbus. He and his wife, Kara, have three children, Austin, 11, Aiden, 5, and Abriella, 3.

He chose to make his career in the food industry because it is growing and, as he puts it, “Everybody needs food.”

Jet’s specializes in pizza, wings, and salads. It offers a special each Tuesday of a small, one-topping pizza for $6.99, and a Monday special of a large, one-topping pizza for $12.99.

For more information visit jetspizza.com. Phone 614-771-0500.

Contributed by Rosemary Kubera