Business grew in a burst in 2025 for South Side native and Frankfort resident Nick Versetto, the force behind Nicky V's.
NEW LENOX, IL — Nick Versetto couldn't have imagined things playing out the way they have.
Previously a financial advisor for nearly 17 years, Versetto took a risk nearly seven years ago and put his money where his—and everyone else's—mouths were: a hot dog and burger spot bearing his name that has since exploded into six locations across Chicagoland and the suburbs.
In 2025, Versetto and his wife Krystyna opened four Nicky V's locations in several months. Locally, Versetto opened the New Lenox location in the former Pony Express space, 21950 Howell Drive, in August 2025. That same day, another opened in Bedford Park. Just three months later, another followed in November, in Lemont. Prior to those in 2025, he'd opened one in Merrionette Park.
With the two existing prior to 2025, he now has six locations in total. Three are standalone buildings; three are inside Gas 'N Wash fuel stations. All have needed the unflagging determination, faith and belief in his business that his team has shown, to make it happen.
"We went from thinking we’d open one restaurant, to opening four," Versetto said of the locations opened in 2025. "I have amazing employees who have been loyal to me.
"At first, they probably thought I was crazy, but then realized, 'he’s for real.'"
It's a success story beyond anything he or his wife could have envisioned, the Frankfort resident told Patch.
"I’m this humble dude, that never did I think that what we started would grow into this," Versetto said. "I’ve also been really great at surrounding myself with the right people, and they help me get it done."
A South Side native, Versetto grew up in St. Thomas More parish, and is a Brother Rice High School alum. He later moved to Garfield Ridge, where he lived until he married Krystyna. No matter his location, one thing stuck strong in his mind: the food.
"I loved going to Nicky's on Austin and Archer, Parisi’s on 63rd Street," Versetto said, referencing diners he frequented.
Both were known for Chicago classics—hearty Italian beef sandwiches (often served with red sauce), Chicago hot dogs, fries at Parisi's, and at Mickey's gyros and burgers—but it was also the experience and businesses' roots that resounded with Versetto.
"All the places, they sponsored the Little League team, they did your school lunches," he said. "That’s what I wanted to create and establish—that fun place for kids to go that's not a McDonald's or Taco Bell."
Versetto started Nicky V's in Oak Forest in 2019, with the purchase of the former Doug's Dogs at 6200 159th St.
Next, they opened in Mt. Greenwood, at 111th and Pulaski. There, they became involved with the communities of Marist, Br. Rice and Mother McAuley high schools, along with St. Christina's, to name a few. Then came Merrionette Park, inside a Gas N Wash at 118th and Kedzie, followed by Bedford Park and New Lenox, then Lemont rounding out the year.
As they've grown, they've added catering services and food trucks.
"....It’s unreal what it’s become," Versetto remarked.
On the menu, customers find some of the usuals—burgers, hot dogs, Polish sausage, breaded steak sandwiches—with some Chicago style tastes he remembers from his childhood, like the "mother-in-law" (a tamale in a bun), or a puff burger (a quarter pound burger patty, in between two pizza puffs). Soon, they'll roll out smashburgers at all locations, as well, Versetto announced Tuesday.
The Southside Special has been a hit—a tray featuring an Italian beef dipped with hot dog Chicago style, Maxwell Street Polish, Gyro pita, tamale, pizza puff and a large fry.
"Our Italian beef is extremely popular," Versetto said, of a beloved menu item. "Just a good sandwich. Homemade beef. Unfortunately, some of the places that have been around forever have gone chain, got away from the process of homemade."
The father of five—daughters ages 16, 13, 12, and 2, and son age 5—finds himself juggling his business needs with the demands of fatherhood. He and wife Krystyna—whose faith in him Versetto says has been integral to his success—have managed scheduling, payroll, food truck bookings, but they now find themselves hiring staff to take some of that off their plates. The business' growth would have been impossible, too, without the support of his "brother" Chris Chojnowski.
"It’s just become too much for us," Versetto commented.
"It’s a hard balance. My phone does not stop—it’s come to a point where she asks me to leave my phone at home. I can’t even tell you the last time we had a date night. It’s hard, but she stepped up the last year with helping me a lot with the food truck scheduling, that helped a great deal, to take that off my plate. It’s hard to balance being a small business owner on top of a parent of 5 children.
"Parenting does come first, before anything. We have to make sure that even though we want to build this huge successful brand, into something special, that our family’s coming first."
The New Lenox location has drawn customers from Manhattan, Frankfort, and Mokena, Versetto said—likely because of their family's and business' ties to school communities.
"We’ve done so much throughout the communities, and the schools," Versetto said. "When you have five kids, you meet everybody at school.
"It’s been great, Mayor Tim is a great mayor to work with. He’s really embraced us in the community and gotten us involved."
Others have been thrilled to see the business' rapid growth.
"'I don't know how you did it, but you did it,'" people have told him.
With expansion, Versetto has honored another component of the business that he holds dear: community involvement.
With the opening of the Oak Forest location, Versetto quickly got to know Kurt DeGroot, the founder of local nonprofit Project Fire Buddies. Started in 2016, Project Fire Buddies engages volunteers from local fire departments to rally around children battling critical illness and their families. The organization partners with local chapters to bring comfort, fun, support and companionship to their "fire buddies." The now not-so-small and very mighty organization has expanded to 165 chapters in 12 states. The nonprofit's 1,200+ volunteers have impacted more than 750 children, with $4 million gifted to support and uplift families, according to its website.
Versetto and DeGroot met when the organization was just a few years old, he said.
"At the time, he only had 1-2 fire buddies," he said. "We kinda always chuckle back and forth about that."
DeGroot said his contributions to the organization since have been remarkable, with his food truck a staple at events.
"Nicky V’s has been one of the quiet cornerstones of Project Fire Buddies since 2020," DeGroot said. "While many support causes, Nick and his family live it. They have hosted countless fundraisers, spread our mission throughout the community, and—most importantly—shown up in the hardest moments without ever asking for recognition or anything in return.
"From donating food trucks to families who have lost a child, to stepping in when one of our firefighters is facing tragedy at home, their generosity is constant and deeply personal. Nick and his family are truly beautiful humans. The way they continue to serve when no one is watching is not just inspiring — it’s the kind of leadership and heart this world needs more of. They are great people."
Danielle Dorsey, whose 6-year-old daughter Isla is a Fire Buddy with the Orland Park chapter, has seen Versetto's kindness firsthand. Isla, who fought rhabdomyosarcoma, holds an annual lemonade stand as a fundraiser for the organization. Versetto's Nicky V's food truck has shown up each time, offering free hot dogs for those who donate. He even places her logo and name on the food truck, a show of support that has deeply endeared him to the mother-daughter duo.
"Nick and I met very early on in my daughter’s battle with cancer, him and his family very quickly became a huge part of our journey," Dorsey said. "Isla loves a good cheese dog after a procedure, but even more, she loves Nick.
"He has a heart of pure gold and is someone anyone can count on, he has brought dinners to the hospital, joined us for lunch after scary clinic days, and even provides hot dogs for her annual lemonade stand for charity. He is a favorite amongst the local childhood cancer community and the kids love seeing their 'logos' on his food trucks, too! The world needs more people like Nick, he is one of the best."
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