October 15, 2001

BY TOM POWELL - Pal Fontana, who runs Fontana Foods with his wife, Gina, on the Orange Unit of Reithoffer Shows, has a legacy to live up to.

The original Fontana Foods was started in 1945 by his father, Bill, who came over from Italy and started a restaurant with his mother, Virginia. He was a butcher.

"He catered to the White House, at Roosevelt's [FDR] wedding and had other famous clients. Most of his clients were jockeys and people in the entertainment industry. People like Susan Hayward and James Cagney ate there."

But when his father got sick and things got tough, Pal left at the age of 12 to help make a living for the entire family. "I would cook for the fair boards and Mr. Reithoffer and still do today." In 1988, he met his wife, Gina, daughter of well known food and games concessionaire Lionel Miller.

"She came up with the idea for us to get our own food stand. The first one was given to me on loan. I was partners with Mr. Reithoffer. Gina asked if we could use an old trailer that had been sitting in the woods, and split the money.

"At the end of the year, we went to give him the money and he wouldn't take it. He said I could keep it, that I was the first guy who had ever offered to give him the money he deserved."

Fontana then had one built, and constructed another at home. Now he has four Century trailers worth more than $500,000. His specialties are Italian and Polish sausage, pizza and funnel cakes.

Fontana has catered a movie starring Tom Hanks and has worked National Hot Rod Assn. events in Gainesville, Fla.; Atlanta; and Hebron, Ohio. Some of it is during the season. The first track is before the show opens.

After becoming assistant general manager for Pat Reithoffer III, GM/owner this season, he subleased some of that business and hired his brother to help out.

Fontana can cut a rug as well as a pizza. He's an excellent dancer, and is usually on the floor for every number during the annual banquet of the Greater Tampa Showmen's Assn. He bemoans the fact that people have turned one of the best businesses in the world into nothing but a business. "We used to have a lot more fun."

There were no price increases this year, "and they haven't gone up by more than 50 cents since 1988," he said. "It can hurt you when you over-charge."

Fontana gets $4 for the sausage sandwiches. He sells mainly Coca-Cola products and receives $4 for a refillable cup and $1 for refills. "I like Coke because they're a great supplier to our industry. They have always been in touch more than anybody else who has come in. They offer tops and do things for not just the big guys, but the small guys, too."

Water — in 24-ounce sports bottles — along with French fries, hot dogs, corn dogs and hamburgers sell for $2. "I'm a firm believer in using the best ingredients. I learned that from my father. I have my own sausage with the USDA label, made by Ferrante Bros. of Washington, D. C. I send a truck to get a thousand pounds at a time. Another supplier is Somerset Syrup out of Edison, N.J., for all his dry goods such as funnel cake mix, lemonade and fruit punch."

The Fontanas have five children — Samantha, 21; Dustin, 16; Ronnie, 12; Gina Marie, 10; and Kayla, 7. "We operate mainly with family. When we get in a pinch, I call my nephews or other relatives. I try to make all my people key people.

"Everybody says it's hard to find good help. It's not hard to find them. You just have to treat them right after they're hired. Some people want to bring them in, yell at them and call them names. The way they're treated is the problem.

"You can take a halfway decent person, build them up and make them something, or go the other way. If help doesn't like me, they don't tell me. That's standard policy. I have never had a help issue. Everybody likes to work for me."

Fontana said his wife knows more about the food business than he does. "She was born and raised in it and taught me the carnival end. I did know how to cook and make a living. I give her credit. She is my inspiration."

Fontana's father-in-law, Lionel, has four or five joints and plays with Reithoffer in the spring and with Strates every now and then.

After being a ride operator in Kiddieland, Fontana moved to major rides and then spectaculars. By 1979 he was considered a European ride, electronic and computer specialist on the show. He is credited with moving the first park model Himalaya and roller coaster in the industry for Reithoffer.

He treasures a plaque he received from the show for 30 years of devotion. Robin Turner, president of Fair Management Inc., Rockledge, Fla., wrote that Fontana's food stands are always in top condition, clean and attractive. His help is well trained, groomed and friendly.

"Pal is a promoter, very savvy. He prints discount coupons and advertises them. No other food concessionaire goes out of his way to promote his stands like Pal."