Eats & Rhymes isn't just a pizza shop—it’s a story of home, purpose, and a community coming full circle. It's where music and food collide to create the ultimate experience.

Clem McKinley, founder and Charlotte native, was raised in the Northwood Estates community off Beatties Ford Road—an area known for its deep culture, rich history, and strong sense of identity. A West Charlotte High School graduate and UNC Charlotte alumnus, devoted husband, and father, Clem has spent more than two decades excelling in corporate leadership. But beyond the titles and accomplishments, Clem has always been driven by something greater—a passion for food, an appreciation for how music moves the people, and a desire to build something meaningful right where it matters most.

That place is home.

Today, the very community that helped shape Clem is considered a food desert—where access to fresh, healthy, and high-quality meals is limited. Families often have to leave their neighborhood just to find better food options, and opportunities for young people to gain real-world experience in business or culinary arts are few and far between.

Clem is determined to change that.

His vision is to open a pizza shop that is more than a place to eat. It will be a hub for connection, culture, and community revitalization—a space where families can gather, where quality ingredients matter, and where people feel seen, valued, and inspired.

But this vision isn’t his alone.

Standing beside him are two partners who share the same passion and commitment to building something that lasts.

Eric Sanders, originally from Goldsboro, North Carolina, has called Charlotte home for the past 20 years. A graduate of Fayetteville State University, Eric is a podcaster, a music enthusiast, and a true foodie at heart. With a professional background in banking, he brings financial insight and strategic discipline to the business. As the Creative Director, he also shapes the brand’s voice and experience—ensuring it reflects the culture, energy, and authenticity of the community. As a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Eric is deeply rooted in service, leadership, and uplifting others.

Mike Parrott, a Charlotte native and lifelong friend of Clem, brings both heart and operational strength to the team. A graduate of Vance High School (now Julius Chambers HS) and alumnus of WSSU, Mike has a professional background in Human Resources, equipping him with the expertise to build strong teams, create opportunities, and foster a positive workplace culture. A husband and father of two daughters, he understands the importance of building something meaningful not just for today—but for the future.

Together, this team represents more than business partners—they represent shared history, brotherhood, and a unified mission to give back to the city that raised them.

And their impact goes beyond the kitchen.

By partnering with West Charlotte High School, the business will create jobs, internships, and scholarship opportunities for students pursuing interests in entrepreneurship, business, or culinary arts. This initiative is about opening doors—giving young people real opportunities to learn, grow, and see what’s possible for their own futures.

This is about legacy.

For these three men and their families, this isn’t just about opening a business—it’s about planting seeds that will grow for generations. It’s about turning years of experience, friendship, and passion into something that uplifts an entire community.

After decades of working in careers that didn’t fully align with their deeper purpose, they are stepping forward in faith to build something real, something impactful, and something rooted in love for where they come from.

Your support will help bring this vision to life.

Every dollar raised will go toward launching the business—securing a location, purchasing equipment, and creating a welcoming, vibrant space that reflects the spirit of the community it serves.

This isn’t just a pizza shop.

It’s access to better food.
It’s opportunity for the next generation.
It’s a commitment to community.
It’s a legacy in the making.

Be a part of something bigger. #BETONTHEFORD

Bet on the Ford

Support Eats & Rhymes Pizza coming to the West Side of CLT

Team Members