Cozy pizza restaurant interior with warm lighting
Est. 1986 — Brighton, MI

Our Story &
Our People

From a single oven and a dream, we've grown into Brighton's most beloved pizza destination — crafting every pie with passion, tradition, and the freshest ingredients.

Pizza chef crafting dough by hand in the kitchen
Handcrafted Since 1986
Our Story

Where It All
Began

Green Lantern Pizza was born in 1986 when founder Marco DiVito loaded a secondhand oven into the back of his garage on Grand River Ave and started making pizza for his neighbors in Brighton, Michigan. Word spread fast — the secret was simple: real dough stretched by hand, house-made sauce simmered for hours, and toppings piled high without apology.

Nearly four decades later, we're still on Grand River Ave, still hand-stretching every crust, and still treating every customer like a neighbor. We've never outsourced, never cut corners, and never forgotten that great pizza starts with great people — both in the kitchen and at the table.

Today Green Lantern Pizza serves thousands of families across Brighton and Livingston County, but we run the same way Marco did on day one: with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of dough.

38+
Years Serving Brighton
250K+
Pizzas Crafted
1
Original Location, Same Heart
100%
Hand-Stretched Dough
Why We Exist

Mission & Vision

Everything we do — from sourcing ingredients to training our team — flows from a single commitment: to make the best pizza experience possible, every single time.

Our Mission

To craft bold, honest pizza using real ingredients and time-honored technique — bringing people together around food worth talking about.

Our Vision

To be the pizza that Brighton residents are proud of — a local institution that stands the test of time because it never trades quality for convenience.

Fresh Sourcing

We partner with regional farms and trusted suppliers to bring you the freshest produce, premium meats, and whole-milk mozzarella — every single day.

Community First

We sponsor local sports teams, support Brighton schools, and give back to the neighborhoods that have given us so much over nearly four decades.

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What We Stand For

Our Core
Values

Quality Without Compromise

Every ingredient is chosen for flavor and freshness. We never use shortcuts, pre-made bases, or artificial preservatives. If it doesn't taste right, it doesn't leave our kitchen.

Craft & Tradition

Our dough recipe hasn't changed in 38 years. We believe great pizza is a craft — one that requires patience, skill, and deep respect for the process.

Genuine Hospitality

Whether you're dining in or picking up, you're a guest in our house. We treat every interaction as an opportunity to make someone's day a little better.

Rooted in Brighton

We are proudly local. Our profits stay local, our team is local, and our heart is fully committed to the community that made us who we are.

Inviting restaurant dining room with character and warmth Fresh pizza straight from the oven
How We Got Here

Our History

Nearly four decades of dough, dedication, and community. Here's the story of how Green Lantern Pizza grew from a garage oven into a Brighton landmark.

  1. 1986

    The First Oven

    Marco DiVito fires up a secondhand deck oven in his Grand River Ave garage. His Sicilian-style pies become the talk of the neighborhood within weeks.

  2. 1991

    Opening the Doors

    After five years of catering and pop-ups, Green Lantern Pizza opens its first proper storefront at 9912 E Grand River Ave — the same address we call home today.

  3. 1998

    Brighton's Best

    The Livingston County Press names us "Brighton's Best Pizza" for the first time — an honor we'd go on to win ten more times in the following years.

  4. 2005

    Kitchen Expansion

    We doubled our kitchen capacity and added a full dine-in section, bringing the total seating to 60 guests. The wood-fired oven also joined the lineup.

  5. 2012

    Catering Takes Off

    Our catering service launches officially after years of informal requests. Within 12 months we're serving corporate events, weddings, and school functions across Livingston County.

  6. 2019

    Online Ordering Launches

    We brought Green Lantern online, making it easier than ever for Brighton families to get their favorites delivered right to the door. Orders doubled within six months.

  7. 2024

    New Chapter, Same Soul

    Marco's daughter Sofia steps in as Head of Operations, carrying the family recipes and the founding spirit forward into the next generation of Green Lantern Pizza.

The People Behind the Pizza

Meet Our Team

Every great pie starts with great people. Our team brings decades of combined experience, genuine passion, and a whole lot of love for pizza to work every single day.

Marco DiVito, Founder of Green Lantern Pizza

Marco DiVito

Founder & Head Pizzaiolo

Marco started Green Lantern in 1986 with a secondhand oven and a Sicilian family recipe. After 38 years, he still comes in every morning to shape the first batch of dough.

Sofia DiVito, Head of Operations at Green Lantern Pizza

Sofia DiVito

Head of Operations

Marco's daughter Sofia grew up in this kitchen. With a culinary degree from Michigan State and a lifelong love of her dad's recipes, she's leading Green Lantern into its next chapter.

James Kowalski, Executive Chef at Green Lantern Pizza

James Kowalski

Executive Chef

James joined Green Lantern in 2003 after stints at restaurants in Detroit and Chicago. He's the creative engine behind our seasonal specials and innovative topping combinations.

Priya Nair, Catering and Events Manager at Green Lantern Pizza

Priya Nair

Catering & Events Manager

Priya transformed our catering program from a side service into a full operation serving 200+ events per year. She brings warmth, precision, and unstoppable energy to every booking.

Want to be part of our story? We're always looking for passionate people.

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Every pizza we make carries 38 years of tradition. Get yours delivered hot or pick it up at 9912 E Grand River Ave, Brighton.

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