The journey of Helen Back began at 5:30 AM on December 1, 2000. During a challenging chapter of Chris Sehman’s life, a “lightbulb” moment put the name “HELEN BACK” into his mind. “I hadn’t decided on a name for the new bar I was opening, and I was already exhausted after three weeks of running two bars at the same time, 9 AM-4 AM. I was ready to quit” Chris explains. A few months later, Helen Back Café was becoming iconic on the Emerald coast. “Our focus was always the locals, the hard-working bar and restaurant folks, and the military personnel in Fort Walton Beach FL.

A couple of years in, Chris brought back a pizza recipe he had won in a bet from a good friend. Helen Back Pizza was born. When hundreds of local Airmen were shipping out for Afghanistan, Helen back launched “Military Free Pizza Night” every Monday night. 10 years later, Chris Sehman was awarded the Zachery and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Humanitarian Award, the highest award the Department of Dense bestows on a civilian. “I just loved saying “thanks for your service” with free pizza (and lots of cold beverages)” Chris continued.

Decades later there have been a variety of Helen Back locations. Economic challenges and pandemics have made the Helen Back story nothing short of “challenging”, yet focusing on pizza and the people has remained the priority.

Make yourself at home, WELCOME TO HELEN BACK!