Fired Up Grill owner unexpectedly passes away, family sets up Go Fund Me campaign

Sad news to share: Joe Busone, the much-beloved owner of Fired Up Grill in Chandler, unexpectedly passed away Wednesday night.

Busone made local headlines in 2008 when he was fired as a manager at Buca Di Beppo, prompting most of the staff to walk out mid-shift and forcing the restaurant at Priest and Ray to close for the evening.

The national chain refused to comment on Busone’s dimissal, but the move led to an outcry from loyal customers.

A couple months later, Busone opened Fired Up Grill a few hundred feet away from Buca, where he had worked for eight years. Much of the staff followed him.

Busone leaves behind a wife, Cathy, and two children, Kait and Joey.

The family has set up a Go Fund Me campaign to cover funeral costs. After one day, it’s already raised more than $10,000 of the $25,000 goal. You can donate here.