A New Jersey Pizzeria Faces Branding Changes Following Legal Letter
A pizza shop in New Jersey received an unexpected legal notice from Paramount Pictures.
The studio has requested that Dofather of Monroe Township alter its logo and branding, arguing that it closely resembles the iconic imagery from the 1972 film “The Godfather.”
Max Damico, the pizzeria’s owner, shared with News12 New Jersey that at first, he thought it was a joke until he verified the studio’s official letterhead.
“I never meant to cause any trouble, but we’re going to make the necessary changes,” he stated.
In the new design, the image of puppet strings will be swapped out for “a hand tossing a pinch of salt or giving a thumbs up.”
Damico, who moved to the U.S. as a child, mentioned that his fondness for classic mob films inspired both the shop’s name and its overall aesthetic.
“It’s one of the greatest movies ever,” he told WABC television. He reminisced about watching it for hours with his family on a snow day when he was just seven.
The nickname “Dofather” actually came from his wife, Dina, who playfully remarked, “You are the Dofather. You are the king of all.” Initially unsure, he eventually embraced it.
The couple collaborated with a designer to create a logo that features Max’s silhouette, inspired by Marlon Brando’s character, Vito Corleone. This design was featured on everything from pizza boxes to employee shirts.
Things took a turn when they received a call from Hollywood.
Max explained that there had been some miscommunication about email addresses, up until Dina received the call. “This is real. So let’s make it right,” he recalled saying.
In the cease-and-desist letter, attorney Christine Sun expressed Paramount’s concerns over the logo’s similarities to the film, warning that legal action might follow if changes were not made.
According to NJ.com, Sun remarked that the brand copied the “distinctive typeface and script design” along with an “identical marionette design.”
Despite the issues raised, Paramount did allow D’Amico to maintain the name “Dofather,” as long as it no longer resembled “The Godfather” or its safeguarded artwork.
The original logo had also featured the slogan “Pizza you can’t say no to,” a reference to Don Corleone’s famous quote. This phrase is also being phased out.
Making these changes will involve updating menus, websites, and signage, which could be costly for a small business.
“We’re looking at redoing the menu, website, and the logo,” D’Amico noted. “But at least we get to keep the name.”
Local officials have voiced their support for D’Amico.
“This is a family-owned business,” Monroe County Councilman Charlie DiPiero told WABC-TV. “They work hard and contribute to our community.”
Many customers are also taking the situation to heart.
Loyal customer Pete Tufano shared, “He’s not profiting off the font. It’s all about the pizza for him. I’m not sure about the legal side, but Max is a good guy, and he’ll do what needs to be done.”
The Post has reached out to Paramount Pictures for additional comments.
