In 1978 a seventeen year old Eastridge High School student, Salvatore "Soccer Sam" Fantauzzo took home economics his senior year for extra credit. The class project was to own a food business. Sam took on pizza as his assignment and soon realized this was his dream. After graduation he rented an empty front across the street from his uncle's meat market located at 1978 East Main Street. Family and friends brought all their talents to help open the first Salvatore's in October of 1978 with a $5,000.00 Budget.
Sam's younger brother Chuck, cousin John Coraggioso and cousin Lisa Arbore were the first hired employees. They all were under the age of 14. Sister Valerie, future Sister-In-Law Diana, future Brother-In-Law Nino Cilino, Aunt Mary and Uncle Sam Arbore, Aunt Mary Sampognaro, Grandma Oliveri, Sam's parents, future wife Linda and several other family and friends including Phil Coraggioso, Enzo Vella and Gary DiGabriele helped Sam open the first Salvatore's location. The guys at Engine 12 Fire Department, next door, were the official taste testers!