About Us

Glass Nickel Pizza Co.
Glassel and Nicholson's first Glass Nickel Pizza Co. storefront on Atwood Ave.

Madison residents Brian Glassel and Tim Nicholson met while working in a pizza restaurant, infact, both had worked in pizza restaurants for the majority of their adult (and teenage) lives. They knew that their passion for delicous, fresh food combined with great service would do well in Madison. After a year of hard work and planning their dream came true.

On November 5th, 1997 the original Glass Nickel opened its doors in the Schenk-Atwood neighborhood (check out the original store photo on the right). There were only a handful of employees in the early days, including Tim and Brian. With the help of our loyal customers and a great crew, we quickly grew. Many of the employees who started with us are still in the Glass Nickel Family, several through ownership of their own location. All of our locations are indepently owned and operated and active participants in their communities.

The Glass Nickel is also committed to serving the environment along with our customers. In addition to our use of energy efficient appliances and LED lighting in our kitchens, we also employ a fleet of WVO, Hybrid and Electric Cars to deliver your food. Infact, all new Glass Nickel Pizza restaurants are required to own and operate an alternative fuel vehicle within their first three years of operation (check out our "Growing Green" section in the leftside menu).

As we continue to grow, our ambitions remain the same: helping our neighborhoods, providing great service and making the best pizza in town! Thanks to all our neighbors who support us, and if you are new to the Glass Nickel, Welcome!!!



Community Support

  • We are proud to support the following charities, non-profits and other local entities

100 Black Men of Madison, WI. Inc.

4-H

Aids Network

Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Alex's Lemonade Stand

Alliance for Animals

 

American Red Cross

Angel's Wish

Atwood Community Center

Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin

Boy Scout Troup 34

Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center

Common Wealth Development

Community Car

Cornucopia

Dane County Humane Society

Dane County Timebank

East Isthmus Neighborhoods Planning Council

East Madison Community Center

Eastmorland Community Association

Fair Wisconsin

Friends of Starkweather Creek

Grassroots Leaderhip College

Great Strides - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Isthmus-Wisconsin Film Festival

Kennedy Elementary PTA

LaFollette High School Post Prom Party

Lapham-Marquette Parent-Teacher Group

Lowell Elementary School

Madison Blues Society

Madison East Class of '76

Madison East Football

Madison East High School Band Parents Association

Madison School & Community Recreation

Madison Ski Club

MATC

McClellan Park Neighborhood Association

Mendota Elementary PTO

Meriter Community Health Education Center

MGHS Special Education

Neighborhood Connections

Nuestro Mundo, Inc.

Olbrich Botanical Society

Options in Community Living, Inc.

Partnership for Rain Gardens, Inc.

Preschools of Hope Project

Rain Barrel Project

Scleroderma Foundation

State, University and UWHC Employees Combined Campaign

Student Personnel Association

The Cast and Crew of The Crystal Penguin

The Respite Center

Token Creek Watershed Association

Tyler Tracy Foundation

United Cerebal Palsey of Greater Dane County

United Way of Dane County

UW Office of Child Care & Family Resources

UW Orientation & New Student Programs

Wisconsin Public Radio

Wisconsin Public Television

Wisconsin Youth Company

Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra

Woodland Montessori Fundraiser

YMCA Strong Kids Campaign