In 1971 there was a small pizza parlor run by a local family in Spencer, Indiana. One day Gary and Karen Hardesty were approached about the possibility of becoming owners, but Gary chose to become a partner. After a short while he made the offer of 5 cows to buy out his partner's share in the business and thus the Pizza Pantry began for the Hardesty family. In 1974 a second location was added in Ellettsville, Indiana. Since the opening Gary and Karen have attended baking schools and conventions to learn to prepare homemade crusts and bread for their customers.