07/01/2026
We survived our first day! And it was all thanks to many great staff and customers!
As you may have heard, today marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our family as Lucus and I officially took over ownership of Big Cheese Pizza.
First and foremost, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Les and Kellie Puderbaugh. Their hard work and dedication have kept Big Cheese a beloved part of the community for so many years. We are grateful for the trust they have placed in us and for the foundation they have built. Don’t worry, Les will still be around to help ensure a seamless transition, for which we are so thankful!
Having grown up here, we know that Big Cheese is more than just a restaurant - it’s a place filled with memories, traditions, and generations of loyal customers. We are honored to carry on that history and excited to build on it while preserving the things that have made Big Cheese such a special part of Independence and all of Southeast Kansas.
We can’t promise perfection, but we can promise a few things - we will work hard to give you the best service, we will work hard to serve the best food in the best environment possible, and most of all, we promise to never, ever, ever get rid of the salad bar.
We are honored to be part of Big Cheese’s story and excited to write the next chapter together with all of you. Thank you for welcoming our family into yours, we can’t wait to see you at Big Cheese. 🍕❤️
— Whitney & Lucus Lanning
