who invented stuffed crust pizza

The invention of stuffed crust pizza involves two key figures: Anthony Mongiello and Patty Scheibmeir. Anthony Mongiello, a Brooklyn native, patented a method for making stuffed crust pizza in 1987, which involved stuffing cheese (and other fillings) inside the crust. He attempted to license the idea to Pizza Hut and other chains but was initially rejected. Subsequently, in 1995, Pizza Hut launched its own stuffed crust pizza, credited as created by Patty Scheibmeir, and heavily marketed it. Mongiello sued Pizza Hut for patent infringement, but the court ruled in favor of Pizza Hut, stating their product did not infringe on Mongiello's method patent. Thus, while Pizza Hut popularized the concept widely with Patty Scheibmeir credited as the creator of their version, Anthony Mongiello holds the original patent and is considered the inventor of stuffed crust pizza as a method.