It was love at first bite. In the late 1940s, Richard Underwood got a glimpse of his future while on vacation in Miami, Fla. After watching a movie with his date, she suggested getting a late-night pizza. “Pizza?” the young Underwood asked.  Ten years later and back home in Butler County, Underwood owned a small used car lot on Ohio 4 in Hamilton when he noticed a restaurant across from the downtown courthouse selling pizza. Coming from a long line of entrepreneurs, he figured he’d open a pizza place.

Butler County waistlines never have recovered. Underwood opened Richards Pizza in 1955 on Dixie Highway, and on that first day, there were 10 customers who spent $12.04. Total. No one ever said owning a business was easy. From those humble beginnings, Richards Pizza has locations in Hamilton, Trenton, Monroe and Fairfield. In 1956, Underwood introduced what has become his restaurant’s signature item: the world-famous Richards Italian Steak Sandwich.