Nothing but a concrete slab remains of what Warren Haines and Jim Barritt built here 52 years ago. Scratch that.
Because as the two partners gather with their sons, Warren and Doug, as well as longtime manager Bill Pilkington, and assistant manager Deanna Valverde, at the corner of Telegraph and Mills road, it’s apparent what Pizzamania means to the Whittier community goes beyond brick and mortar.
Coming up to the anniversary of the suspected arson fire that on Sept. 10, 2024, decimated the Whittier treasure, Pizzamaniacs are anxiously awaiting its reopening. A dedicated following hang on every news Warren Haines Jr. posts on Facebook. The faithful also follow Doug Barritt’s posts on Instagram.
“Pizzamania is ready to go,” said Haines Jr., 60. “We’re laid out. We’ve got the plans. We’ve got our contractor lined up.”
Warren Haines wears a t-shirt showing the fire. Pizzamania and four other businesses burned down one year ago at this location on Florence Road and Telegraph where the owners posed for a photo on Aug. 28, 2025 in Whittier CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer) From left, Warren Haines, Bill Pilkington, Warren Haines Sr., Jim Barritt, Deanne Valverde and Doug Barritt. Pizzamania and four other businesses burned down one year ago at this location on Florence Road and Telegraph. Construction could begin as soon as next month where the owners posed for a photo on Aug. 28, 2025 in Whittier CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer) Warren Haines looks around the lot where Pizzamania once stood. Pizzamania and four other businesses burned down one year ago at this location on Florence Road and Telegraph where the owners posed for a photo on Aug. 28, 2025 in Whittier CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer) An artist’s rendering of the “Pizzamania 2.0” that should replace what was on the site before arson fire burned it to the ground. The famed Pizzamania logo will replace the name above the door, owners said. (Photo courtesy of Warren Haines Jr./Pizzamania) An undated photo of Pizzamania in Whittier, which burned in an arson fire on Sept. 10, 2024. The business, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, hopes to reopen in March or April 2026. (Photo courtesy of Pizzamania) Show Caption1 of 5Warren Haines wears a t-shirt showing the fire. Pizzamania and four other businesses burned down one year ago at this location on Florence Road and Telegraph where the owners posed for a photo on Aug. 28, 2025 in Whittier CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer) ExpandOnce property owners build the shell, “we’ll be pedal to the metal,” Doug Barritt, 63, said. If that happens in October, Pizzamania loyalists could be enjoying their slice of pizza heaven by March or April of 2026.
Pizzamania 2.0 will occupy 500 square feet more than the original, but seating will remain at 120 to 122 because of updated building codes the new construction has to follow.
No one is looking forward to reopening day more than Bill Pilkington, 59, who was 15 when Jim Barritt hired him to make dough balls and pizza.
“The community that surround Pizzamania is by far the greatest anywhere,” Pilkington said.
A deacon at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, just half a mile down the road from Pizzamania, he’s been working more in that ministry as he waits.
“I want to ask, ‘What can we do?’ Can we grab a shovel, start building? We’ve been here for more than 50 years so you develop a relationship with customers and employees,” Pilkington said. “We were hiring grandkids of people I hired when I was in high school. So it’s surreal to think about Pizzamania being gone, because it’s the last thing you think of that would ever close down.”
Since the fire, he and Valverde, whom he hired 30 years ago, have kept tabs on Pizzamania’s 48 employees, most of whom are high school and college students. A GoFundMe that the owners set up raised $18,515, and all proceeds from an online merchandise store goes to employees too.
Black T-shirts commemorate Pizzamania’s 50th anniversary in 2023. Emblazoned on the back: “Sorry your pizza was burnt. We’ll make you another one next year.” (Alas, they do not sell one’s favorite pepperoni and sausage with a side of jalapenos.) The store has sold more than 2,000 shirts.
Fans have posted photos of them wearing the shirts from Bangkok to Barstow, along with odes to the perfection of their slice of Pizzamania.
From being their favorite childhood pizza, to memories of it being the site of many a sports victory, afterschool party or birthday celebrations, Pizzamaniacs have begged for a pop-up or a food truck version of their town institution. They mourn the loss of the place’s inimitable sauce and dough, as well as the community space that earned Pizzamania it’s loyal following.
Most everyone in Whittier has a Pizzamania story. One shared a screenshot of his phone, showing his “La Familia” on speed dial. There’s a contact for “Wife,” “Daughter 1” “Daughter 2” and, of course, “Pizzamania.” Fans are hoping they will have the same phone number. None have confessed to taking that contact off their phones.
“I will do anything to be at your grand reopening,” another fan wrote. “I will donate money. I will work in the kitchen. I will sweep the parking lot for a table for my friends and family to be there.”
One customer told Haines Jr. that she is saving two frozen slices of Pizzamania pizza and is mulling over whether she will share it with her son.
Such love and loyalty is a balm for the Barritt and Haines families, as well as Pilkington and Valverde, as they wait for the strip mall property owners to start their rebuild. Meanwhile, Pilkington and Valverde, longtime Whittier residents themselves, are stopped regularly for updates as they go about town.
No arrests have been made in connection to the early-morning fire, which also destroyed El Camino Family Restaurant, Sunshine Liquor, Bianca’s Beauty Salon and Everytable restaurant.
Haines said only Pizzamania and Sunshine Liquor are confirmed to return, with the owners of El Camino deciding to retire.
A request for an update on the investigation submitted to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was referred to its Arson and Explosives Bureau.
Wendy Castaneda said her hometown is heaping love on a neighborhood pizzeria that deserves all that and more. She said she’s willing to volunteer and work the reopening, repayment for the many donations Pizzamania has made to her church, St. Bruno’s Catholic Church in Whittier.
“I think it’s so amazing to hear the energy, the love and the words people are talking not just here but the entire community, ” Castaneda said. “This city and beyond cannot wait for you to continue your legacy.”
Warren Sr. and Joan Haines and Jim and Jo Barritt were young parents working in corporate jobs when they took the leap and opened a 1,200 square-feet take-out only pizzeria. They are determined to rebuild the restaurant for the community and the entire Pizzamania family.
It’s a “work hard and do good” mentality that the next generation appreciates.
“They took a huge risk opening this place 52 years ago,” said Doug Barritt. “They’ve turned this thing into a great business for Whittier and they’ve employed thousands of local folks. We have great managers in Bill and Deanne, and the community has just been fantastic and supportive. We just can’t thank them enough.”
And for the next generation of pie-makers, Pizzamania will post notices on its social media when it is ready to hire.
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