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About Pudgie's

Pudgie’s Pizza, Pasta & Subs opened its first pizza and sub operation in Elmira, N.Y. in April of 1963. Pudgie's like ever other business had its struggles when it started out. Even though it was a popular hit with the locals  it still had its financial difficulties. But the owners of  Pudgie's Pizza subs and wings like any other great restaurant, got out of that struggle and became a franchise. The owners Charles Cleary (Pudgie), Francis Cleary (Franky the cheese), and Mike Cleary, all three brothers did not expect to start a franchise when they opened up the first Pudgie's. Pudgie's Pizza Franchising Corp. was started in 1972 after having great success in the pizza business. Charles Cleary was known as Uncle Pudgie because he was always on the Pudgie side, therefore that's how the name Pudgies Pizza Subs and Wings got its name. Just because he was known as Uncle Pudgie to his family members doesn't mean he owned the whole restaurant  The three brothers all split the company evenly sharing one third of the business.

Cortland Pudgie's

There are many different Pudgie's Pizza all over. But this blog is talking about a certain Pudgie's in Cortland, New York. This is a family operated business owned by the the second generation of Cleary's that started Pudgie's. Bill Cleary worked his whole child hood and was a big part of the reason why Pudgie's did and is doing so well as a restaurants. By the time he was a young adult he knew pretty much everything you needed to know about running Pudgie's and business's. Bill Cleary is the son of Francis and Lois Cleary. Bill and his wife Joanne Cleary now run the Pudgie's in Cortland. Bringing fine pizza to the community of Cortland County. Bill and Joanne have 4 children who throughout their life until they got out of college worked at Pudgie's. Their daughter now owns all the Five Guys Burger and Fries in central New York. Two of the family's three sons are now out of college and are going to run and operate the new Pudgie's on West Genny street in Syracuse New York. The last son of the family is now a senior in high school and works when hes not playing sports.