Barzi Foods is a company whose brand name has a rich tradition. Started in 1921, by Frank and Eugene Barzizza, their company named Barzizza Brothers sold imported goods to the immigrants from the "old country" from their store at 176 North Main Street in downtown Memphis, Tennessee.

Even before they set foot on American soil, the Barzizza family's food expertise had a long tradition in the town of Bassignana, Italy. For the past 175 years, the ancestors of the Barzizza Family made and sold salami and cheese. The town named Bassignana, Italy is located on the Poe River in the northern Piemonte region. A brother of Eugene and Frank by the name of Lawrence owned the business. In those days the only E-Commerce was "eking" out an existence because the town of Bassignana was a small farming community.


In 1913 Frank Barzizza came to America and arrived in Memphis. At that time, Memphis was a settling area for many emigrants who left Italy for economic reasons. Memphis reminded the immigrants of their native country because of the climate, soil for farming, and it has close proximity to a river (Mississippi).

Frank Barzizza as a young man teamed up with a gentleman by the name of Merlo. Together they sold olive oil and cheese to the immigrants of the Mediterranean area who settled in Memphis. The name of the company was Merlo and Barzi. Barzi was a name that was chosen by Frank because people in the area could not seem to remember or pronounce the Barzizza name. Frank thought that by shortening the name, people would easily remember the name. By 1918, Merlo had died and Frank asked his brother Eugene to join him in a wholesale operation with some other gentlemen by the name of Robilio and Cuneo. A few years later, the four families found that their goals were not the same. In July of 1923, two separate companies were formed. The Robilio and Cuneo Company and Barzizza Brothers. Robilio and Cuneo in the wholesale business and the (Ronco Brand) pasta making business. The Barzizza's became retailers of imported products.

Frank and Eugene began their business at 176 north Main as retailers and wholesalers. Their store was described and one where you could purchase "every choice food imported from abroad". As their choice for a house brand, they revived the Barzi name and this began the brand name that you recognize today.


In the 1940's pasta was the mainstay of the Barzi line. Pasta had not caught on, as we know it today. It was generally reserved as a staple in the Italian dining experience. Later the brand added spices and beans to its listing.

Barzizza Brothers in the post war days grew as the GI's came back from abroad with new tastes. The imported foods industry was growing strong and Barzizza Brothers was a leader in the introduction of many new and exotic foods to the area.


This business continued until the 1970s. By that time Frank had passed away and his sons Joe and Frank took over the business. Eugene went back to his beloved Italy to retire.

In the 1960's Barzizza Brothers grew into the suburbs and began importing good from around the world. In addition, they imported giftware from the Orient, India, and the Pan-Asian area to compliment the foods that they sold. In 1973 the retail portion of the business was sold to Pier 1 Imports that, at the time were developing a national presence as importers of product. About that time Joe's sons, Joe, George, and Steve entered the business.

Barzizza Brothers continued their wholesale business for many more years until they merged with a large wholesale operation and the Barzizza Brother name was retired. At the same time, a portion of the business remained in the family and that business is known as Barzi Foods, Inc.

Today Barzi Foods still offers the same quality products to American consumers. You will find our products distributed in many of the finer supermarkets in the country. In addition, our entire line of top-quality beans and spices are offered through our e-store located on this site. Please visit and if you have any questions, please write us a note, we will be happy to hear from you.