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Denver-based Bacio expands pizza cheese sales to bar-and-grill chains
ColoradoBiz Staff //August 20, 2026//
Denver-based Bacio expands pizza cheese sales to bar-and-grill chains
ColoradoBiz Staff //August 20, 2026//
In Brief:
- Bacio Cheese part of Denver-based Leprino Foods
- Tommy’s Tavern and Tap uses Bacio to reduce pizza complaints
- Bacio survey finds 97% of U.S. consumers like pizza
- Bacio Gold Club Rewards offers cash-back and marketing support
DENVER — Bacio Cheese is expanding its focus beyond pizzerias to promote its products to bar-and-grill operators seeking to increase pizza sales and repeat business.
A 2026 survey by Bacio found that 97% of U.S. consumers like or love pizza, and 88% are eating the same amount or more than last year.
Bacio, part of Denver-based Leprino Foods, produces Italian-style pizza cheese made with cow’s milk and buffalo milk. Its products are available in blocks and diced or shredded blends.
Among the company’s customers is Tommy’s Tavern and Tap, a 19-location restaurant chain serving coal-fired pizza, sushi, burgers and other tavern food. Executive chef Chris Perrino said the chain selected Bacio to improve consistency across its restaurants.
“People can get pizza almost anywhere. If yours doesn’t stand out, they’ll order it somewhere else next time,” Perrino said.
Tommy’s reported that pizza complaints declined from about 1.5% to 0.25% after it began using Bacio cheese. The chain also uses the cheese in its spinach and artichoke dip.
Bacio provides participating restaurants with measuring cups designed to standardize the amount of cheese used on each pizza. The company also operates the Bacio Gold Club Rewards program, which offers cash-back rewards and marketing assistance.
Tommy’s used its rewards to hire a pizza specialist who travels among its locations to train employees, Perrino said. Restaurants can enroll in the program online or through a Performance Food Group distributor.
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