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John Payiavlas is the founder and owner of the largest independently owned and operated food service company in the United States, the “AVI FoodSystems Inc”.
Payiavlas is a son of immigrants. It all began when he and his family, trying to live the American dream, opened a small diner in Warren, Ohio with the name “Village Café”. An acquaintance presented an opportunity to purchase a few vending machines which was an opportunity Payiavlas quickly seized.
Payiavlas had one principal. He insisted on creating fresh food from scratch in his own kitchens for the vending machines he serviced. Payiavlas knew there were no shortcuts to success and worked day and night to accommodate his clients and their needs, sometimes even before they even ask.
The company in the mid ‘80s entered new geographic markets as it also added business dining and catering services. Colleges and universities, healthcare facilities were among the first clients and now Payiavlas company serves some of the most widely known and recognized businesses, universities, healthcare and leisure facilities in the world.
In 1997 AVI’s Culinary Support Center is able to produce 100,000 units of production in one day and invested in PocketSwab technology to ensure the highest food sanitation standards are upheld.
John Payiavlas in 2000 was inducted to Inside Business Hall of Fame.
In 2001, Payiavlas children, Patsy and Anthony, became co-presidents of “AVI Food Systems”. They both have grown into the company as from a very young age started by sweeping the floors, preparing sandwiches and assisting their father in the office. They learned firsthand that success begins with integrity and ends with accountability.
John Payiavlas passed the leadership of the company to his two children in 2008 but still remains Chairman of the Board.
Payiavlas served as Chairman of “Leadership 100” from 2004 to 2006. He is also an Archon Depoutatos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the highest honor in all Christendom, dating back to the fourth century, as well as a member of AHEPA and other community and business organizations.
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