Eyes on the Pies: Why One Entrepreneur Built Their Business in Victor Valley

Sarah Krieg

Apple Valley, California, is the backdrop for the journey of CJ Eversole and his wife, Tammy, who are on the cusp of their 20th anniversary. After dedicating 18 years to law enforcement, the Eversoles pivoted their careers, seizing the opportunity to take over the Pizza Factory in Apple Valley in 2019. CJ Eversole shares more about the business and what led to their decision. 

Tell us about your history in the Victor Valley. 

I was born and raised in the High Desert. I’ve been here my whole life. I’m a father of two daughters, and I have a 3-year-old grandson and one on the way. My grandparents were a staple here in the ’40s and were known for having a huge Christmas house during Christmas. My grandparents were involved in everything, so anybody that was here in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s knows the Eversole name. 

What do you love most about living in the Victor Valley? 

I love how remote it is. I can be at the beach in an hour and a half, snowboarding in one hour or Vegas in less than three. Also, I love living in a community with a lake to wakeboard on and a great golf course. 

How would you describe the Victor Valley’s business community? 

I feel if you are part of the Greater High Desert Chamber or a Rotary club, there is great camaraderie between business owners, and we all try to help each other. 

What inspired you to run a business in Victor Valley? 

I was a police officer for about 18 years. Sitting at work one day, I was like, ‘I don’t know if I want to do this job anymore.’ I was on Facebook at lunch, and I saw a Pizza Factory franchise opportunity pop up, so I decided to make a call because I grew up in Phelan, California, and the Pizza Factory was a staple of the High Desert since the ’80s, and I regularly ate there. 

I always wanted to get into the restaurant business, and my wife and I had a little money to invest, so I called, and they said Apple Valley was for sale. The Pizza Factory in Apple Valley had been there about 13 years in 2019, so we went out and tried it and said, ‘Hey, you know, I think we could do this business.’ When we started, our oldest daughter took the reins as general manager, and my wife and I oversaw the operation. 

When my grandson was born, I had to decide to either run the Pizza Factory or stay in my career because I was at the Pizza Factory seven days a week and served as a patrol officer five days a week. I decided to run the Pizza Factory instead and stay on as a reserve police officer. 

How has the business evolved since its inception? 

We have more than doubled the amount of revenue from when we first started in 2019. When we first started, our biggest thing we wanted was for the Pizza Factory to be involved in youth organizations. In five years, we have raised over $70,000 for our local youth through fundraising and giving back to the community as much as we can. 

What local resources are available for entrepreneurs? 

I feel that, especially with chamber members, if somebody on the outside is looking in trying to get into a business, business owners are willing to give them advice. 

I know when I was starting to get into my business, I went to other pizza places that I had found in the High Desert area, and they were very helpful on where to go or what to do. 

What advice do you have for other business owners just starting? 

The more events you can attend through schools, businesses and the chamber of commerce and the more you get to know as many people as possible in your community, the more they will support you. And we do the same. 

I’ve made many friends and colleagues through the Pizza Factory, and like I said, if I can help their organization out in my business, I will. 

I always take care of my first responders. We are a tight-knit community, and that is what’s so neat about Apple Valley.