PENDLETON – With the paperwork finished, Andy McAnally was ready to announce this week he’s the new owner of Big John’s Hometown Pizza, 225 S.W. Ninth St.

Steve Barnett, son of “Big” John Barnett, said McAnally was the right man for the business.

“He grew up on this pizza,” Barnett said. “It’s very important for us that we found the right person.”

McAnally unknowingly echoed Barnett.

“I grew up on Big John’s pizza,” he said.

Barnett said he’s been working with McAnally for several months and he’s excited about the transition. He said McAnally will continue the tradition at Big John’s.

“I think he’s the right man for the job,” Barnett said.

McAnally’s been managing the pizza parlor since Sept. 1. He oversees this and Quiznos Subs in Pendleton, which he also owns, and he’s the president of the Pendleton Buck Boosters.

The establishment started as Shakey’s in 1962. Steve Barnett said his father wouldn’t capitulate to the corporate heads when they told him how to make pizza, so he got out of the franchise in 1998 and changed the name to the now familiar Big John’s. John Barnett is retired and living in Portland. Health issues have limited his mobility, his son said.

McAnally said he has some changes planned for Big John’s, but the most important things will stay the same.

“I’m not changing the pizza, I’m not changing the name,” McAnally emphasized.

But he will expand the menu to include gourmet pizzas.

McAnally also plans on installing new floor covering and TVs. He will turn the smaller dinning area into the “Little Bucks Banquet Room” and he’s going to bring back the “birthday umbrella.”

The large, clear plastic umbrella was hoisted above the bar and held birthday party hats. It had been a long-time favorite of area families.

McAnally also wants to update the branding of the business and develop a new logo.

“Just a fresh look,” he said.

The business will close down for a week in November to make the changes, but McAnally is uncertain just when that will happen.

Aside from providing popular pizza, John Barnett had been a significant part of the Pendleton community. McAnally said he wants to follow that same path.

“My vision is to continue what Big John has done for the past 44 years. You can expect the same great pizza, same business name and, more importantly, I want to carry on his tradition of being actively involved in the community,” he said.