Bryce Commons, Cicis Pizza Employees Share Common Bond of Friendship
In mid-February, Cicis Pizza in Joplin, Missouri, hosted a surprise 30th birthday celebration for Bryce Commons, an autistic man from Pittsburg, Kansas. Bryce has been a regular visitor at this eating establishment for more than a decade and has become like a dear relative to most all the restaurant’s employees.
Bryce couldn’t have been more thrilled with being celebrated in such a meaningful way, and he says, “It was the best birthday ever.”
Considering Bryce’s infectious zest for life and his genuine willingness to befriend virtually anyone, it’s easy to see why Joplin Cicis Pizza franchisee Vice President Leslie Breedlove took notice of this kind-hearted gentleman and his mother, Mandy, right from the start.
“We opened in February 2014 and Bryce and his mom started coming in shortly after that,” Leslie says. “I have always had a great relationship with Bryce. I noticed he and his mom were coming in frequently and started making small talk with them.
“I found out they would stop in here on their way to or from Downstream Casino Resort, and we just started chatting about what games Bryce liked to play there.”
It didn’t take long for them to click, and Leslie says, “Bryce quickly added me to his best friends list. Mandy and I got close, as well, when she recommended that I add Bryce on my Facebook to see all the joy he spreads in life.
“Bryce has also connected closely with Cicis employees Tina Boyd and Taylor Wonda. Their willingness to be patient with Bryce and take selfies with him is awesome. Now, everyone knows Bryce and looks forward to seeing him. Some of our employees are waiting patiently for Bryce to get comfortable with them and take selfies with him, as well.”
Sharing insight from the mom’s side of this story on how such a remarkable relationship began, Mandy says, “We’ve been going to Cicis since our kids (Bryce and his sister, Emily, and brother, Jon) were little. It became more consistent when Bryce turned 18 years old, and he learned there was a Willy Wonka Slot Machine at Downstream Casino.
“We would go to Cicis at least twice a month after taking Bryce to Downstream Casino. Leslie remembered Bryce and she’d always ask him about his day, and he’d tell everybody else at Cicis about Downstream.”
What has developed is endearing, and Mandy says, “That special bond has been contagious and spread to all the crew members at Cicis. But the bond between Leslie and Bryce is just so special.”
“Bryce is just the most naturally good-hearted person you will ever meet,” Leslie says. “If you follow him on social media, you’ll see Bryce celebrating every little joy in life. And you’ll feel that same joy when you meet him in person.”
The way Leslie sees it, interacting with this terrific soul of a human being who brings so much synergy to Cicis is wonderful, and she says, “I know he likes pizza, and that helps a lot.
“But everyone has gotten so comfortable saying hello to Bryce and just having fun listening to his stories. We enjoy it so much when Bryce shares things he has happening in his life and lets us all know what he’s excited about.”
It’s just second nature to roll out the red carpet, so to speak, when Cicis’ most recognizable customer comes through their doors, and Leslie says, “We let every team member take a moment to tell Bryce hello and take pictures with us.
“Of course, we’ll tell Bryce goodbye when he leaves. We say, ‘Cici you soon.’ Bryce has also started telling us the same thing when he leaves.”
Interestingly, it’s Cicis workers who are made to feel more special, and Leslie says, “Bryce is so overjoyed to see us when he gets here. Once he wants to take a selfie with you, then you’re on cloud nine. And you feel like the most important person in the world.”
There’s a lot more to it from there. Leslie says, “Once Bryce has gotten comfortable with you, then you’re the one he makes feel so special. He’s equally as excited to see you as you are to see him.
“Bryce also sends us Valentine’s cards, makes Christmas ornaments for us and celebrates most all holidays by giving us small gifts. Bryce has made Shrinky Dinks, bobbleheads and ornaments for me personally. I also get a Valentine’s card in the mail from him every year.”
“Staff has come and gone over the years but everyone at Cicis knows Bryce,” Mandy says. “The new staff members are introduced to him. Some of the staff that have moved to other places are still friends with Bryce on social media and they stay in touch with him that way.
“The bond that continues to strengthen the most is between Leslie and Bryce. While she’s been successful in her career, they keep in touch. We traveled to Springfield, Missouri, to help celebrate the Cicis grand opening at that location with Leslie. And we’ve even gone to Oklahoma to enjoy lunch with her.”
It makes Bryce’s mom proud seeing how special her son is treated, and she says, “The moment Bryce walks in Cicis, everyone says hello. Everyone has huge smiles on their faces, and they all know Bryce by name. They all engage with him, take time out of their busy days to ask about his day and take pictures with him.”
While Leslie said that Cicis is, by nature, a fun place to be with pizza and video games, this relationship with Bryce goes so much deeper because “he’s a part of our family. It’s like seeing your favorite family member at a family reunion.”
There’s reason for Bryce’s family to feel gratitude for how their son and Cicis have become so closely intertwined. Mandy says, “He is someone who lives life to the fullest. Although he is an adult, Bryce remains a kid at heart. He’s incredibly observant and naturally forms strong bonds with people who embrace him for who he is.
“Bryce has found that acceptance within the Cicis family. When Bryce refers to someone as his best friend, it is a sincere expression of love and care rooted in how they treat him. The entire team at Cicis makes him feel both safe and loved.”
It goes even further, and Mandy says, “In an environment where others might not always be as understanding, the staff at Cicis never laughs at Bryce or speaks about him negatively. That genuine kindness is what makes their relationship so significant to him and our family.”
It makes all the sense in the world to Leslie that Bryce is a big part of the Cicis family, and she says, “He’s such a breath of fresh air in a crazy world. He sees things exactly as they are, and yet he makes it beautiful and joyful. We are honored that we get to be a part of it.”
Through the lens that Bryce sees things with the most crystal-clear vision, he frames it this way in saying, “I just love pepperoni pizza and breadsticks. I just love everyone at Cicis.”
Bryce Commons Fast Facts
Parents: Chad and Mandy Commons
Siblings: Sister and brother-in-Law Emily and Kevin McNay, and brother and sister-in-law Jon and Tiffany Commons.
Hometown: Pittsburg, Kansas
High School Alma Mater/Year Graduated: Pittsburg High School/2014 (Bryce was fall homecoming king his senior year in high school. He was also the school mascot (The Purple Dragon) and loved every minute of it.
Favorite Subject in School: Loved all his classes, classmates and faculty, and loved going to school.
Favorite Food: Chicken, with pizza a close second.
Favorite Movie: “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” (with Gene Wilder)
Favorite Recreational/Sports Activity: Exercise bike, elliptical and walking.
Hobbies: Bryce is the selfie king. He loves taking pictures with his friends. He also loves making ‘surprises’ for his friends.
