Rustic Dough Works founder shares journey from law enforcement to restaurant success
Dave Ur, the owner of Rustic Dough Works, recently hosted a fundraiser that raised $4,000 for the Wounded Blue, a nonprofit organization that supports police officers who have experienced hardships during their careers.
The December fundraiser at the Flagler Beach location allowed customers to pay whatever they wanted for pizza, with all proceeds going to the organization. The event featured a book signing by Randy Sutton, founder of the Wounded Blue, who traveled from Las Vegas. A guitar signed by rock musician Slash was auctioned off for $1,250, and one customer paid $325 for a single pizza as a donation.
“We raised $4,000, which was a great amount of money,” Dave said. “For us, you know, for something that I never thought we would raise a thousand dollars.”
The restaurant’s food suppliers, Cheney Brothers and Gordon’s, donated cheese for the event. All five employees who worked that day declined their wages and contributed their tips to the fundraiser. Volunteer musicians also performed without pay.
The funds were distributed immediately to help injured officers during the holiday season. According to Dave, Randy Sutton was able to assist 15 families with the money raised.
“What’s better than getting a $500 check during Christmas time when you’re injured and sitting home, and you have kids?” Dave said. “It helps tremendously.”
Dave’s connection to the Wounded Blue is personal. He worked as a Marion County deputy before an incident where he arrested a captain’s daughter, which led to his termination and felony charges. After spending $200,000 in legal fees, all charges against him were dropped. He is currently pursuing a civil lawsuit against Marion County.
“I beat the charges. Everything got dropped because I was not lying. I did everything I said I did,” Dave said.
During that difficult period, the Wounded Blue provided support. Dave’s wife, Lana, discovered the organization and reached out to Randy Sutton, who hosts a podcast. Dave appeared on the podcast to share his story, which led to hundreds of officers from across the country contacting him with similar experiences.
“These guys need help. What can I do to help Randy?” Dave recalled thinking. “He’s like, well, we don’t get government assistance. We’re fully donated, funded. And I say, well, you help me. I want to help other officers.”
Rustic Dough Works donates one dollar from every pizza sold to the Wounded Blue monthly. The holiday fundraiser was an expansion of that ongoing commitment.
The restaurant’s rapid growth began when Dave learned to make Neapolitan-style pizza during a two-month stay with family in Italy. He started selling pizzas from a tent at local farmers’ markets, then built a food truck, and eventually opened the Flagler Beach location when Kathy Fennigan offered to lease him the former Cafe by the Sea building. A new Palm Coast location has since opened.
“This time last year, I was in a tent at the Flagler County market,” Dave said. “So it all happened in a year.”
Dave noted that his sourdough pizza recipe came from combining techniques learned in Italy with a sourdough bread class. Many of the restaurant’s other recipes, including its popular cinnamon rolls, were developed through TikTok tutorials.
“I’m still not a certified baker, or I’m not even a certified chef. I’m self-taught,” Dave said.
The business supports several local organizations beyond the Wounded Blue, including the Flagler Humane Society, Toys for Tots, and local high school events. Dave said he plans to make the Wounded Blue fundraiser an annual tradition.
“I believe in police officers. I believe in the system. I just don’t believe what I went through, anybody should have to go through, ever,” Dave said.
