MANKATO, Minn. — Tackle Matt Kalil is giving away free food to his Vikings teammates during training camp at a pizza restaurant he owns. Even though Minnesota has 21 players on the roster weighing more than 300 pounds, he’s convinced that won’t put him out of business.

Along with his father Frank Kalil, the tackle runs three Pieology Pizzeria outlets in Minnesota, including in St. Paul and Maple Grove. The Mankato shop opened in October, so this is the first training camp the Vikings have held at Minnesota State Mankato with a Pieology in town.

“They get to eat there for free,” Kalil said on Sunday’s first day of camp. “If they bring their little keychain thing (that players have), they get to eat for free over there. It’s a good deal.”

Football players, though, like to eat a lot. Isn’t Kalil concerned that giving away all this free food could drain profits?

“If they go in there and the fans see them in there and we just end up getting more customers, it works out for both of us,” Kalil said.

Kalil has been spreading the word about the free food to teammates. His restaurant is a mere block from the practice fields.

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.