Grotto Pizza announces promotions at the beach

Jeff Gosnear, vice president of Rehoboth Beach-based Grotto Pizza, recently announced the promotion of Jen Bridges and Japayl Knight to general manager positions.

Bridges is the new general manager of the Ocean City Boardwalk location in Maryland; Knight oversees the South Bethany location.

“Jen and Japayl are hardworking team members who have proved their dedication to the company over the years,” Gosnear said. “They truly represent our culture and our values.”

Bridges began working as a counter representative at the Newark Grotto Pizza location in 1996.

“I’ve met some amazing people at Grotto Pizza,” said Bridges, who has homes in the Ocean City area and Hockessin. “I’ve run my own business and had a career in politics, but Grotto is the only workplace where I’ve been truly happy.”

Bridges’ husband Kevin is a former Grotto Pizza employee. She loves to spoil her three nieces and nephew in her free time, which might include bringing home her favorite Grotto pizza: the Bianco with broccoli (no onions).

Knight started her career at Grotto Pizza in 2013 as a server in West Bethany, and the Frankford resident has savored the close-knit relationships among the staff and the frequent customers.

“The people have become my family,” she said. “The staff at the West Bethany location uplift and motivate me to do my job to the best of my ability.”

Knight likes to pamper herself on her days off with salon visits, family time and a Buffalo pizza from Grotto. “I love food,” she said. “I’m always at restaurants.”

Grotto Pizza currently has 23 locations in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania. To learn more, go to grottopizza.com.