This week, we continue our Pizza Expo Interview Series from the show floor at Pizza Expo. Denise interviews three operators with pizzerias doing business in California. Check out these Golden State pizza pros:

Zak Fishman from Prime Pizza. The pizza company has seven locations in Los Angeles, California. Zak shares how much the LA pizza scene has grown, details Prime’s authentic New York style pizza, why pizza, and growing from one to seven units in 10 years. Learn more about Prime Pizza at https://primepizza.la/ .

Philip Adler from Freda’s Pizza. The artisan pizzeria has three locations: Camarillo, West Lake and Moorpark, California. Philip talks food truck beginnings, his background in the restaurant business and his Pizza Expo experience. Learn more about Freda’s at https://www.fredaspizza.com/.

Steven Barrantes, is owner/operator at Slice of Homage in San Jose, California. The pizzeria serves up a New York-inspired and Detroit pizza. Steven lets us in on the pizza scene in San Jose, what brought him into the pizza business, and his thoughts competing in his first International Pizza Challenge. Learn more about Slice of Homage at https://www.sohpizza.com/

Stay tuned as we continue our interviews from Pizza Expo 2024.

Check out more news from International Pizza Expo, including pizza competition results, show floor takeaways and happenings in our Pizza Expo News Hub.

This week, we continue our Pizza Expo Interview Series from the show floor at Pizza Expo. Denise interviews operators who are building their businesses and expanding their reach in the pizza industry. They are:

Sofia Arango founded of Atlanta Pizza Truck a catering company in May 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. She has also created a thriving pizza industry community, Latinos En Pizza. She shares how she started both ventures and her vision of sharing stories of Latinos in the pizza industry. Learn more about Atlanta Pizza Truck at https://www.theatlantapizzatruck.com/ and explore more on Latinos En Pizza at https://www.latinosenpizza.org/

Jonathan Fell and Zachary Black operate Jason’s New York Style Pizza in Bangor, Maine. The couple details the three-location’s model and its focus on carryout. Johnathan shares the story of his family business as a second-generation operator. Learn more about Jason’s at https://jasonsnypizza.com/.

Enrico and Cira Aguila own Uncle Rico’s Pizza, an old-school mom and pop pizzeria in Fort Myers, Florida. We talk concept and pizza style. We also chat about getting national press for best pizza and what comes with that. Learn more about Uncle Rico’s at https://www.unclericospizza239.com/.

Stay tuned as we continue our interviews from Pizza Expo 2024.

Check out more news from International Pizza Expo, including pizza competition results, show floor takeaways and happenings in our Pizza Expo News Hub.

This week, we continue our Pizza Expo Interview Series from the show floor at Pizza Expo. Denise interviews experience multi-unit pizzeria operators: Zach Toth and Chris Brown of Blacksburg, Virginia-based Benny’s Pizza with 32 locations and Jonathan Schroeter from Il Primo Pizza & Wings with seven locations in Southwest Floriday

Benny’s is home of the 28” Virginia Slice. Since the first location opened in Blacksburg, VA, in 2011, the pizza company has grown to 32 locations in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wyoming. Each Benny’s has a unique name. The original is Benny Marzano. We talk about growing the business and what Zach and Chris look for in a new location. We also talk pizza industry and Pizza Expo. Learn more about Benny’s at https://www.bennysva.com/our-story/.

Il Primo was founded by Paul Conti opened the first Il Primo in Arizona in 1983, growing to three locations. But when Conti relocated to Naples, Florida, he closed the Arizona stores and opened his concept in Southeast Florida in 1999. He grow Il Primo to six locations. Director of Operations Jonathan Schroeter continues that charge. Jonathan shares the growing pains of operating multiple restaurants during hurricanes. We talk about how the model has shift from large footprint dining to more carryout and delivery. We talk about Pizza Today’s visit to Il Primo in 2020 and Pizza Expo. Learn more about Il Primo at https://ilprimopizza.com/

Stay tuned as we continue our interviews from Pizza Expo 2024.

Check out more news from International Pizza Expo, including pizza competition results, show floor takeaways and happenings in our Pizza Expo News Hub.