Mackenzie River Pizza celebrates three decades of Montana-inspired food

Mackenzie River Pizza Company is marking its 30th year this month.

“Any time a restaurant hits a decade landmark, it's a big deal,” said Ryan Fuller, Mackenzie River’s chief operating officer. “It's really hard to survive in the restaurant industry and remain relevant along the way as you do. Even after 30 years, we're just getting started.”

The restaurant first opened in downtown Bozeman in 1993 with a menu of pizzas, salads and sandwiches. It has since become part of the Glacier Restaurant Group based in Whitefish. The restaurant is now in 29 locations across Montana, Idaho, Washington, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Nevada.

Despite hardships such as the 2008 recession, the COVID-19 pandemic, and adapting to the digital age, Mackenzie River has continued to secure its place within the restaurant industry.

“We’re constantly trying to balance our commitment to honor the employees, to honor the customers, and to honor the sustainability of the business,” said Fuller. “It's a balance between all three.”

During the summer, Mackenzie River will be at the Glacier Range Riders stadium with a trailer and Woods Bay at the Saddlehorn Marina which can be accessed via car or boat.

“For the last several years, we haven't really been in control of our own destiny. We’ve been keeping our head above the water and trying to pivot as much as possible. But we're now at a point where we're back in control,” said Fuller. “I'm excited to be in the driver's seat and decide where to put the next little slice of Montana paradise.”

Fuller attributed the restaurant’s success to its hardworking team and attention to customer service. He explained that there is room for growth within the company and that many employees who started working at an hourly wage have made their way up to corporate positions including himself.

“For us, customer service for the last 15 years or so has been defined as ‘The ability and desire to constantly and consistently provide the customer with what they want, need, and expect.’ Once we made that definition, we went through and defined every single one of those individual words. If you're missing any one of those things, then you haven't fully defined customer service,” Fuller explained.

At all of its locations across the country, the restaurant maintains a consistent menu and atmosphere, regardless of the state.

“Obviously we're a Montana born and themed company so we have a lot of food that is Montana inspired, especially our 406 menu that goes all summer long,” said Fuller. “It's nice having the consistency in the menu so that our team can train everybody because it's the same menu.”

The inside of every restaurant is lined with birch trees, river rocks, and panoramic photographs of Montana’s great outdoors to add to the atmosphere. Whether it’s bison tacos, a trout flatbread, cherry pizza, or a huckleberry dessert, Mackenzie River incorporates unique Montana staples that can be found in all of their restaurants.

“Montana is generous, kind, family-oriented and adventurous and we hope to be all of those things,” said Fuller. “By having that as a base for what we want to do, that translates into how we treat our employees and that makes them want to treat the customers the same way.”

During the month, the company hopes to give back to its supportive community by offering “throwback” deals, a chance to win a Montana getaway, and an end-of-the-month celebration bash.

To be entered into the Montana getaway, a customer must check into Mackenzie River three times in the month of June. To find out more, visit mackenzieriverpizza.com.

Reporter Summer Zalesky may be reached at szalesky@dailyinterlake.com.