Send us a text In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I’m joined by Eddie LeBon and Joel from Thrive POS — not to sell you on their system, but to pull back the curtain on what it’s really like choosing the right point of sale for your pizza shop. These two bring a rare mix of tech-side knowledge and real restaurant experience. We talk through what operators get wrong when picking a POS, the mistakes they’ve seen firsthand, what questions you should be asking during demos, and how to avoid ...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 51
Send us a text What do you do when you buy all the pizza equipment, start your buildout… and the guy who promised to train you ghosts you? If you're Brian Nittayo, you hit the Pizza Expo, meet Tony Gemignani, hustle your way to a crash course in New York—and never look back. In this episode, Brian from Rose City Pizza joins me to share how he turned a rocky start into a viral pizza brand, known for creative pies like birria, elote, and al pastor. We talk about how going viral doesn’t always mean...
Jun 24, 2025•45 min•Ep. 50
Send us a text Think opening a pizzeria requires half a million dollars in the bank? Think again. In this episode, I'm breaking down what it really costs to start a pizza shop from scratch—whether you're hustling on a $50K budget or building something bold with $500K+. We cover every stage of the journey, from choosing your location to buying equipment, budgeting for marketing, and navigating the hidden costs that most new owners overlook. I’ll also walk you through your funding options—includin...
Jun 17, 2025•19 min•Ep. 49
Send us a text What’s up, fam. It’s just me on the mic today—and I want to talk about something that’s got a lot of operators stuck. Systems. Not the clipboard, corporate kind. I’m talkin’ real systems that give you your time back, build up your people, and let the business run without you being in the building 24/7. Last week, Paul from Pie Trap said something that hit hard—he realized avoiding systems was the reason he stayed stuck. And I’ve been there too. So in this episode, I’m breaking dow...
Jun 09, 2025•16 min•Ep. 48
Send us a text Paul Cody, owner of Pie Trap Pizza in Covina, CA, joins the show for a no-filter conversation on leadership, culture, and turning passion into purpose. From sneaking a fryer into a 400 sq ft kitchen to curating a hip-hop-inspired menu with explosive pies, Paul shares how he built a loyal fanbase by keeping it real and putting quality first. We talk team dynamics, rising food costs, TikTok-fueled growth, and why systems—not vibes—set you free. If you're a pizzeria operator or futur...
Jun 02, 2025•59 min•Ep. 47
Send us a text How Pizza Magnets Took Over the Internet (with Todd from Popp’s Trophies) What started as a small-town trophy shop turned into one of the pizza industry’s most viral success stories. In this episode, I chop it up with Todd from Popp’s Trophies—creator of the famous pizza peel magnets. We talk about his wild leap from landscaping to laser engraving, how a Wu-Tang slice blew up on Instagram, and why investing in yourself always pays off. Whether you're running a pizzeria, building a...
May 20, 2025•42 min
Send us a text What’s up, Pizza Fam! This episode’s a little different—I took it all the way back to the beginning. Why? Because the question keeps coming up: “T, how’d you get started in this pizza game?” And with so many new listeners joining the family, I figured now’s the perfect time to tell the real story—my origin story. Let me be clear: I shouldn’t be here. I should’ve been fired. I should’ve been broke for good. I should’ve quit. But I didn’t. And every mistake I made—every one of ‘em—s...
May 06, 2025•33 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , Tyrell Reed sits down with the energetic and inspiring Joey Karvelas, co-founder of Karvelas Pizza Company . Joey shares the story of how he turned a $19,000 investment into a growing pizza empire across Georgia. From humble beginnings in a run-down pizza shop to running six locations and planning more, Joey’s story is packed with hard-earned wisdom, personal growth, and real-life lessons for any aspiring pizzeria owner. They talk team b...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 44
Send us a text In this episode, I’m giving you my full recap of the 2025 Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. From my 4 a.m. flight out of Tampa to the non-stop action on the show floor, this trip was packed with energy, connection, and plenty of pizza talk. I share what stood out to me the most—from reconnecting with pizza friends to seeing the latest in equipment and tech. I dive into the topic of automation in our industry—some of it I’m here for (hello, dough rollers), and some of it I’m not sure about....
Apr 14, 2025•19 min
Send us a text Mastering Pizza & Culinary Excellence with Chef Dan Czuba In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I sit down with Chef Dan Czuba from the North American Pizza and Culinary Academy in Lisle, Illinois. From fine dining to fast-casual, Chef Dan has done it all, and he shares his journey from nearly dropping out of high school to becoming a master instructor in the pizza world. We dive into the art and science of pizza making, the evolution of the restaurant industry, and the ...
Mar 22, 2025•55 min•Ep. 40
Send us a text In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I sit down with Mikey and Amanda from Fire & Smoke BBQ —a powerhouse couple turning their passion for barbecue into a growing brand. We talk about their journey from running pop-ups in Chicago to building a BBQ business in St. Augustine, Florida, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Mikey shares his evolution from pizza kitchens to pitmaster, how their signature seasonings and sauces took off, and why their shiitake seasoni...
Mar 08, 2025•57 min•Ep. 39
Send us a text In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I sit down with Lynn from Lynn’s Chicago Pizza to hear her incredible journey from a simple at-home pizza night to running a thriving pizzeria on Chicago’s South Side. Lynn shares how she and her partner, Chef Brandon, accidentally stumbled into the pizza business after making a deep-dish pizza from scratch at home. What started as a fun experiment quickly turned into something bigger as friends and family raved about their pizzas. Befor...
Feb 28, 2025•47 min•Ep. 38
Send us a text In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I sit down with Adam Nathan, co-founder and CEO of Blaze, the #1 AI marketing tool designed for small businesses and content creators. We dive into how AI is changing the game for entrepreneurs who don’t have the time, budget, or expertise to create high-quality marketing content. Key Takeaways: 🍕 AI can save you hours – Blaze automates content creation for social media, blogs, newsletters, ads, and more, all in your brand’s unique voic...
Feb 21, 2025•34 min•Ep. 37
Send us a text In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I sit down with my guy, Farris Roach—newest franchise owner of VODA Cleaning & Restoration. We dive into his transition from a 20-year banking career to owning his own business, the challenges of stepping into an unfamiliar industry, and the power of franchising as a path to entrepreneurship. Farris shares why he chose VODA, how franchising provided him with a roadmap to success, and the importance of community within a franchise sys...
Feb 14, 2025•36 min•Ep. 36
Send us a text On this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I sit down with Elliott Ramsdell, the mastermind behind the rapid rise of Todd’s Curry Sauce. We dive into his journey from running a digital agency to launching a game-changing sauce brand and how he’s disrupting the food industry one bottle at a time. Elliott shares how he went from branding and marketing to rolling up his sleeves and scaling a sauce business with a unique vision: getting Todd’s Curry Sauce into as many mouths as possi...
Feb 07, 2025•36 min•Ep. 35
Send us a text Hey Pizza Fam! This week, I’m diving into some of the most common questions I’ve been getting from all of you about opening a pizzeria. We’re talking about startup costs, picking the right location, and negotiating lease terms – all the stuff that sets you up for success before you ever make your first pizza. I also share one of the funniest (and most frustrating) stories I’ve had in a while involving a customer who had some... creative ideas about what “mild sauce” means. It’s a ...
Jan 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 34
Send us a text This week, I took the podcast on the road and recorded live from West Shore Pizza Kingsway. It’s not something I usually do, but with so much happening right now, I wanted to share my thoughts, advice, and support directly from the heart of our business. Here’s what I talked about: Standing with Los Angeles : My heart goes out to everyone in Los Angeles dealing with the aftermath of the wildfires. I’ve reached out to friends, family, and pizza folks in the area, and while it’s a r...
Jan 13, 2025•34 min•Ep. 34
Send us a text Ready to open your first pizza business? Get my FREE New Store Checklist go.tyrellreed.com/free Todd's Curry Sauce - Enjoy 10% Off All Orders using code: PIZZAKING www.toddscurrysauce.com Bag Genie Pizza Bags - Buy and 4 bags and get a 5th bag for free using Code: PIZZAKING www.baggenie.net Episode 33 In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Michael Jacobson, the CEO of French Florist. At first, I wasn’t sure how a florist’s business would resonate with us pizza fo...
Jan 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 33
Send us a text Ready to open your first pizza business? Get my FREE New Store Checklist go.tyrellreed.com/free Todd's Curry Sauce - Enjoy 10% Off All Orders using code: PIZZAKING www.toddscurrysauce.com Bag Genie Pizza Bags - Buy and 4 bags and get a 5th bag for free using Code: PIZZAKING www.baggenie.net As we close out an incredible year, I’m taking this solo episode to reflect on the highs, the lessons, and the growth of 2024. From launching 25 impactful episodes to growing our community acro...
Dec 30, 2024•26 min•Ep. 32
Send us a text Ready to open your first pizza business? Get my FREE New Store Checklist go.tyrellreed.com/free Todd's Curry Sauce - Enjoy 10% Off All Orders using code: PIZZAKING www.toddscurrysauce.com Bag Genie Pizza Bags - Buy and 4 bags and get a 5th bag for free using Code: PIZZAKING www.baggenie.net In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I sit down with Chef Hector Sanchez, a Marine Corps veteran turned dough master, to talk about his journey from the battlefield to the kitchen, his p...
Dec 22, 2024•48 min
Send us a text Ready to open your first pizza business? Get my FREE New Store Checklist go.tyrellreed.com/free Todd's Curry Sauce - Enjoy 10% Off All Orders using code: PIZZAKING www.toddscurrysauce.com Bag Genie Pizza Bags - Buy and 4 bags and get a 5th bag for free using Code: PIZZAKING www.baggenie.net On this episode of The Pizza King Podcast , I sit down with Adrion Thomas, the founder of BLK Crust Pizza LA, to hear his inspiring journey from a corporate recruiting career to becoming a full...
Dec 13, 2024•45 min
Send us a text Tyrell and Larry Rubin discuss the world of gift cards, focusing on Larry's company, Swipe It, which specializes in providing gift card solutions for small to mid-sized businesses. They explore the evolution of gift card programs, best practices for implementation, and the importance of marketing and exposure. Larry shares insights on the psychological barriers small business owners face regarding gift card promotions and highlights the significant impact gift cards can have on dr...
Dec 03, 2024•26 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Pizza King podcast, host Tyrell Reed discusses the importance of empowering young people in the pizza industry, sharing insights from the recent Pizza Tomorrow Summit. He emphasizes the need for soft skills in leadership and the responsibility of leaders to develop the next generation of talent. Reed also navigates the challenges of customer expectations, sharing a personal story about a loyal customer and the importance of setting boundaries. Takeaways We h...
Nov 22, 2024•34 min
Send us a text In this episode, we're diving into the world of restaurant ownership with the first edition of our new segment, Restaurant Chronicles . This week’s chronicle unpacks a wild, true story of dealing with a "scamming ass scammer" – a repeat customer who racked up over $300 in orders using stolen credit cards and fake names. Beyond the scams, I also share a personal look at the resilience of my family and our pizza business as we navigated the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes in Fl...
Oct 26, 2024•37 min
Send us a text Have you embraced the AI movement? Not sure how or what you should know? Join me as I talk through the ways I'm currently using AI both in the restaurant and on the podcast. AI has been a helpful tool for both marketing and productivity. Tasks from content creation to writing email AI has only helped us execute at a higher level. Tune in and don't forget to leave that feedback! - Pizza King Support the show We Appreciate Your Support Hey, if you’ve gotten any value from this episo...
Sep 21, 2024•23 min•Ep. 27
Send us a text In this episode, I recap my recent experience at the California Restaurant Show in Los Angeles. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with industry leaders and share insights on the education stage. During my trip, I visited several local pizzerias, and I’m excited to spotlight two standout pies this week! Pizza of the Week: MVP from South Bay Pizza – A true star with amazing flavor combinations. Vodka Pizza from Hot Tongue – A deliciously unique take with a vodka sauce that...
Sep 12, 2024•32 min•Ep. 25
Send us a text Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered how you can turn a failing pizza restaurant into a thriving business? In this episode, you'll learn the five critical steps necessary for turning around a struggling restaurant: food safety, cash processes, inventory and food costs, management routines, and communication. I'll highlight the vital role of leadership in maintaining high standards and ensuring a safe, quality experience for your customers. Additionally, discover effective manageme...
Aug 19, 2024•22 min
Send us a text Send us a Text Message.Unlock the secrets to multi-unit success with our guest Mike Bausch, the visionary behind Andolini's Pizzeria in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In this episode, Mike shares his remarkable 20-year journey from aspiring JAG lawyer to pizza entrepreneur. Through his experiences managing 12 diverse units and authoring his book Unsliced, Mike provides invaluable insights into the world of pizza and beyond.Pizza Entrepreneur Success StoryMike begins by recounting his transition...
Aug 12, 2024•53 min
Send us a text Send us a Text Message.Curious about how to transform your customer loyalty program into a powerful business growth engine? This episode promises to arm you with actionable strategies to do just that. Join me, Tyrell Reed, as I unravel the secrets behind building an effective loyalty and rewards program that will not only keep your customers coming back but also attract new ones.We kick things off by highlighting the significant role of email marketing in keeping your community en...
Jul 22, 2024•35 min
Send us a text Send us a Text Message.Ever wondered what it takes to go from pizza kid to pizza king? Join us for an engaging conversation with Dodi Vasquez, the new owner of Pizza King of Texas in League City. Dodi started working at the pizzeria at just 14, climbing the ranks from cleaning and phone duties to owner. With his sister’s support and mentorship, Dodi shares his inspiring story of hard work, dedication, and the entrepreneurial spirit that led him to where he is today. You’ll learn a...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 3 min
