Brandon Hunt
Co-Founder & CEO
Detroit native and the visionary behind Via 313. Brandon drives the brand's culture, community, and relentless pursuit of the perfect pizza square.
Our Story
A Slice of Detroit
A Slice of Detroit
in Every Bite
It all started with two brothers, a love for their hometown, and a stubborn belief that the world needed more Detroit-style pizza.
Brandon and Zane Hunt grew up in Detroit, Michigan — the 313 area code — where square, thick-crusted, cheese-frico-edged pizza wasn't just food. It was culture. When they relocated to Austin, Texas, they quickly realized something was missing. No one was making the real thing.
In 2012, armed with family recipes, hand-built pans, and an unshakeable vision, they opened Via 313 — named after Detroit's iconic area code. What started as a humble trailer on a South Austin street corner grew into one of Austin's most celebrated pizza destinations.
"We didn't come to Austin to make something new. We came to share something real — the pizza we grew up with, made the way it was always meant to be made."
Today, Via 313 is synonymous with honest ingredients, bold flavors, and a community-first spirit. Every square pizza that leaves our kitchen carries the soul of Detroit and the warmth of Austin.
10+
Years Open
50K+
Pizzas Made
4
Locations
30+
Team Members
What Drives Us
Our Mission & Values
Everything we do at Via 313 is guided by a simple truth: great pizza requires great care. Here's what that means to us.
Made with Passion
Every pizza we make carries genuine love for the craft. We don't cut corners — we stretch dough, layer toppings, and bake with pride every single day.
Fresh Ingredients
We source locally whenever possible and insist on quality from every supplier. Fresh produce, real cheese, and premium meats — no shortcuts, no compromises.
Community First
Austin gave us a home when we brought Detroit here. We give back through local partnerships, events, and treating every guest like family from the moment they walk in.
Authentic Always
We stay true to the Detroit-style tradition: blue steel pans, twice-proofed dough, cheese edge to edge, and sauce on top. Authentic isn't a buzzword here — it's the standard.
How We Got Here
Our Journey
From a single trailer to a beloved Austin institution — here's how Via 313 grew into what it is today.
2012
The Trailer Days
Brandon and Zane Hunt park their first food trailer on South Congress Avenue. Armed with cast-iron pans and family recipes, Via 313 officially serves its first Detroit-style square pizza to Austin.
2014
Austin Falls in Love
Word spreads fast. Lines form before we open. Local press names Via 313 one of Austin's top 10 restaurants. We expand the trailer and add two new pies to our menu.
2016
First Brick & Mortar
We open our first permanent location on West 6th Street in downtown Austin. The brick-and-mortar brings a full bar, expanded seating, and a kitchen that can keep up with demand.
2018
National Recognition
Food & Wine, Eater, and Thrillist all feature Via 313 as one of the best pizza spots in the country. We're humbled, inspired, and busier than ever. A second Austin location opens in East Austin.
2020
Adapting & Thriving
When the pandemic hits, we pivot fast — launching online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery. Our community rallies around us and we make it through stronger than before.
2023
Growing the 313 Family
We open our third and fourth Austin-area locations, launch catering and group order programs, and begin community partnership initiatives across Travis County. The mission continues.
The People Behind the Pizza
Meet Our Team
Great pizza starts with great people. Our crew brings passion, skill, and a whole lot of heart to every shift.
Zane Hunt
Co-Founder & Head of Operations
The operational backbone of Via 313, Zane ensures every location runs smoothly and that the quality of every pizza meets the standard he set in that first trailer.
Maria Gonzalez
Head Chef
Trained in Austin and seasoned by a decade of kitchen mastery, Maria leads our culinary team with creativity, precision, and an obsessive love for great ingredients.
James Okafor
Community Manager
James is the heartbeat of our guest experience — forging partnerships, organizing events, and making sure every person who walks through our door feels genuinely welcome.
The 313 Standard
What We Stand For
These aren't just words on a wall. They're the principles that guide every pan we bake, every team member we hire, and every decision we make.
Craft Over Convenience
We take the long road every time. Hand-stretched dough, slow proofing, house-made sauces — because great pizza can't be rushed.
Radical Hospitality
Every guest deserves to feel like a regular, whether it's their first visit or their hundredth. We invest in relationships, not just transactions.
Sustainable Practices
We work with local farms, minimize food waste, and make responsible choices — because the community we serve is worth protecting.
Relentless Improvement
We celebrate success and learn from every mistake. Our best pizza is always the next one — and we never stop trying to make it better.
