Bellacino’s to Mancino’s in four days flat: CMU business alumnus tries hand at restaurant

Central Michigan University alumnus Josh Glew said he knows what students want.

Which is why on Nov. 15, Glew bought Bellacino’s Pizza and Grinders, 4125 E. Blue Grass Road, and in four days turned it into Mancino’s Italian Eatery.

“Everybody wants value,” he said. “I want them to see the best value in town.”

Though the names are different, Glew said, the two businesses have a shared history because they were actually started by brothers. Glew said he chose Mancino’s because his wife had previously worked for a Mancino’s.

Glew also owns a Mancino’s in the Lansing area. He received his master’s degree in business administration from CMU in 1997.

Rockford senior Jessica Hecksel, worked at Bellacino’s and was retained to work for Mancino’s. While the two menus are similar, she said there are some changes.

“It’s better quality with a little more choices,” she said.

In addition to menu and quality changes, overall efficiency of the restaurant’s behind the scenes operations also seems to have improved, said some employees.

“It’s a lot more organized,” said Mount Pleasant junior Kyle Warner, who was employed before the switch.

Glew said four days to make all the necessary menu, kitchen and staff changes was a daunting pressure, but everyone involved worked to make it successful, he said.

“It was quite a challenge, but everybody’s been great,” he said.

Glew said former owner, Rod Yiach, sold the restaurant to focus on running his car wash in St. Johns.

“I have high expectations. I’m there everyday,” he explained. “I want to be proud of what we do.”

metro@cm-life.com