Stageline Pizza branch opens in Seeley Lake

SEELEY LAKE – Stageline Pizza, "your pizza delivery people," is now open for business in Seeley Lake across from Seeley Lake Elementary School. Branch owners Patrick and Cheryl Sheridan look forward to supplying a consistently superior product that tastes the same every time. They also hope it brings more businesses into town by sparking interest in franchise businesses.

The Sheridans are from Wisconsin. Patrick worked as a stainless steel welder in food and dairy plants for years and then became a designer/draftsman. Cheryl worked more than 20 years as a product buyer. Neither has experience owning or operating a restaurant.

"We just thought we would give it a try," said Cheryl. "Honestly if we weren't doing pizza I would not have wanted to get into the food business."

Patrick's uncle David Bjur owns the Stageline Pizza branch in Ronan and has interests in the Arlee Branch. Patrick's cousin owns the Polson branch.

"It's kind of a family thing. That is what brought us out here," said Cheryl.

Bjur convinced them they should move to Montana and start a branch. After touring the area in August as a semi-vacation, they settled on Seeley Lake.

"We were driving around, came into town and saw the big sign Vicki [Voegelin] had out front and called her," said Cheryl.

While Littlebird's was for sale, Voegelin agreed to lease it to them. Even though they explored other locations, Cheryl said they felt that Littlebird's was their best option for a successful business.

Bjur was instrumental in helping them complete the application with Stageline Pizza to start a Seeley Lake branch.

"We were welcomed with open arms," said Cheryl. "Stageline Pizza is a great franchise. The people who own it are fantastic people who are excited to see their dream grow."

The Sheridans spent two months training at the Ronan store learning how to make the products and going through general management training. Patrick moved to Seeley Lake in September followed by Cheryl in November. They spent the fall remodeling the building.

Stageline Pizza Seeley Lake Branch took their first orders New Year's Day offering "the only [pizza] delivery option in town."

In addition to the build-your-own, specialty and gourmet pizzas with red, ranch or alfredo sauce, Stageline Pizza offers: BBQ, hot and screaming hot chicken wings; breadsticks; cheese bread; cinnamon stix; 10 choices of salads; nachos and super nachos; pasta bakes using the same recipe as the pizzas but replacing the pizza crust with rotini noodles and Pepsi products.

"Any pizza you can mix match and do whatever you want with it," said Cheryl. "Just because it has a specific thing on the menu, doesn't mean you can't customize it."

All Stageline Pizza branches use standard ingredients that make it easy to regulate consistency of product. The Seeley Lake branch uses the Stageline's trademark dough mix and seasoning packet for the red sauce and standard meat toppings. They also make their own ranch. While they don't currently offer a gluten-free option, Cheryl said she is looking into a cauliflower crust offered by other branches.

"Everything is made homemade from scratch," said Cheryl "We roll every crust ourselves. Customers can expect the same crispy bacon and the same flavored sausage and same tasting Canadian bacon. We have recipes for a lot of variety like BBQ Chicken Stagecoach pizzas and bacon cheeseburger pizzas."

The Sheridans hired 10 local employees as cooks and drivers ranging in age from high school to retirement.

"We have been fortunate. The staff that we hired has some experience," said Cheryl. "We are really excited about the people coming on board with us."

Customers are invited to dine-in, carry out or call for delivery. Delivery is free within two miles of the restaurant with a $7.99 minimum order. They will deliver within five miles for a $20 minimum order and $3 charge.

"We are very optimistic that it will be good for everybody as are several other businesses in town," said Cheryl.

When they are not working, the Sheridans are avid motorcyclists and have been active in motorcycle rights in Wisconsin. Cheryl said they enjoy getting out on the open road, and love riding Highway 200 because "it is so beautiful."

Stageline Pizza is open and will deliver from 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. seven days per week. The only limit to delivery is the weather. Call 677-0016 to place an order or stop in, 110 Larch Lane.

"Seeley is a beautiful little town," said Cheryl. "Everyone we have met has been super friendly and super nice to us. We are hoping to share that back to the community."