The Vocelli story begins in a mining town in Zongdulak, Turkey, where Varol Ablak was born and his engineer father moved from town to town for work before eventually settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Varol dropped out of college and opened his first business at 24 years old, an all-you can eat pizza buffet franchise in Chalmette, Louisiana. Then father and son created their own brand in Pittsburgh, focusing on high-quality ingredients, and began franchising in 1993.

Ablak Holdings, parent company of Vocelli Pizza, owns a handful of brands including Pennsylvania-based Sincerely Yogurt.