Greg Shultz knows what it takes to launch a successful restaurant as he is part of the ownership group in both Tommy Boy’s in Mentor and Lucky Dogs in Mentor-on-the-Lake.
Shultz’s latest venture takes him a few miles to the west and will feature a different approach than the other two establishments.
Tommy Boy’s Pizza, located at 37111 Euclid Ave. in Willoughby, offers take-out and delivery only, but it’s an extension of the Mentor restaurant. Shultz said it is the same pizza recipe, same subs and hopefully in a few weeks they will be ready to serve the same smash burgers which are popular at the Mentor bar.
Photos from Kenny Lofton at Tommy Boy’s Pizza, July 29, 2026. (Paul DiCicco – For The News-Herald)
“It will offer the same food as Tommy Boy’s, maybe a slightly more condensed version,” Shultz said. “Feedback has been great. We trust in our product fully. The main marketing spend has been our giveaway of 213 pizzas with (former Cleveland Indian) Kenny Lofton. Because we know once you try it, you’ll want to return.”
Shultz said they use one of, if not the best pizza cheeses, on the market, make fresh dough in house seven days a week and “just put a lot of care into every single pizza.”
As for taking over the former Pizza Booyah location in Willoughby, Shultz said it was an easy decision.
“It was appealing because it is such a good location,” Shultz said. “We sit on a very busy street on Euclid Avenue surrounded by a great mix of commercial and residential. And we’ve been wanting to expand the Tommy Boy’s brand, so once we came across this location we knew we had to move on it.”
Photos from Kenny Lofton at Tommy Boy’s Pizza, July 29, 2026. (Paul DiCicco – For The News-Herald)
Shultz and the ownership group has quickly grown their portfolio to three restaurants, but he doesn’t look at it as nerve-wracking or burdensome.
“It’s exciting,” Shultz said. “Everyday is a unique day with three spots. It’s never dull. It forces me to constantly improve my personal organization skills, forces me to lean on my key people more and trust their judgment on certain matters. I’m putting a lot of miles on my car these days, but it’s honestly been a lot of fun making this transition from one to two and now three locations.
“And can’t forget our food truck, Super Smash Burgers, which could be considered a seasonal fourth location.”
