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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Signs with a blunt approach to “help wanted” outside of a Columbus-area pizza shop are making a big impression, but it’s not the only business to do so.

  • A sign that reads “Now hiring non-stupid people” hangs outside Santino’s Pizzeria. (NBC4 Photo/Mark Feuerborn)

Santino’s Pizzeria, located in the Georgesville area, had two signs posted on Tuesday reading “Now hiring non-stupid people.” One hung from the fence on the side of the building, while a copy of it also hung upside-down above the entrance. Santino’s also posted a more neutral message, “We’re hiring,” on the door to go inside.

The “non-stupid” signs drew attention online and in person. Cars were seen slowly driving by the store, located at 1675 Holt Rd., and taking pictures of the signs when FOX 8 sister station NBC4 visited to ask about Santino’s hiring message.

A Santino’s employee inside told NBC4 that the signs were intended to be a joke, but referred further requests for comment to the pizzeria’s owners. The worker was well aware of the online attention Santino’s request for “non-stupid people” had received, with people calling the store to discuss the sign.

NBC4 tried to reach Santino’s owners by phone for comment but did not hear back as of Tuesday afternoon. Attempts to reach them through an email on the pizza shop’s website returned an error.

Santino’s isn’t the first business to use the “Now hiring non-stupid people” sign. A Texas pet store saw a similar reaction online in October 2022 when it posted an identical sign looking for applicants, Entrepreneur reported. The sign is also readily available, selling in multiple sizes for between $27.52 and $165.85 on Amazon from vendor Tampa Printing Store.