Welcome to the Smart Pizza Marketing Podcast, your go-to resource for real talk and actionable advice on running a successful pizzeria. I’m Bruce, your host, and I’m excited to introduce a new, shorter format to deliver quick tips, strategies, and insights directly to you.

While my in-depth interviews have moved to the How You Slice It podcast with Slice (check it out and subscribe), this show is all about sharing the lessons I’ve learned from talking to hundreds of pizza entrepreneurs. From building a pop-up to managing multiple locations, I’ve seen it all—and I want to help you navigate the journey.

In these bite-sized episodes, we’ll focus on what’s working right now in marketing, operations, and growth. I’ll be pulling back the curtain on what I would’ve wanted to know when I was running my own shop, especially the mindset shifts that can make all the difference.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just need a little push, you’re not alone. We’re all figuring it out, step by step, and I’m here to remind you that progress is about taking consistent, small actions every day. Join our Pizza Shop Owners Forum on Facebook to connect with others in the industry, and let’s build a community that supports each other.

Got a question? Hit me up on Instagram @SmartPizzaMarketing or email me at [email protected]. Let’s get started and get you pumped to take your shop to the next level. And a big shoutout to our sponsor, Stanislaus Food Products, for supporting this journey.

Tune in, take notes, and let’s grow together!

In this episode of Smart Pizza Marketing, Bruce chats with Loren Paddleford, Chief Revenue Officer of Slice, about the distinct challenges and opportunities independent pizzerias face in a competitive market.

Loren explains how Slice is dedicated to supporting pizzerias with tools like online ordering, in-store POS systems, and tailored marketing services, diverging from the consumer-focused models of UberEats and DoorDash. The episode underscores the importance of community engagement and storytelling, and highlights the educational resources Slice provides to help pizzeria owners thrive.

Bruce and Loren also discuss the cultural significance of pizza, the value of direct customer relationships, and their shared vision of empowering local pizzerias to compete with larger chains. Tune in to learn how Slice is fostering a supportive ecosystem for independent pizza shops to succeed and grow.

In this episode, Bruce Irving discusses the evolution of his podcast and the focus on providing actionable insights for pizzeria owners. He emphasizes the importance of negotiation, marketing tactics, and sharing personal experiences from the pizza industry. The podcast will feature shorter episodes aimed at delivering quick, practical tips to help pizzeria owners improve their businesses.

In this episode, Bruce interviews Camilo, the owner of La Rosa Pizzeria. They dive into the challenges of opening and running a pizzeria, especially during the pandemic. Camilo shares his experiences in building two locations from scratch, the realities of restaurant construction, and how delivery has become a significant part of his business.

MY OTHER SOCIALS:

🎙 My podcast Smart Pizza Marketing where I interview entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people -   

🌍  My website / blog - https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com

🐦  Twitter - https://twitter.com/spmpod

📸  Instagram - https://instagram.com/smartpizzamarketing

📱  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@smartpizzamarketing

👨‍💻  Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smartpizzamarketing

🎥  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/smartpizzamarketing

Learn from us:  https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com/mastermind

Work with us: https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com/work

In this episode, we catch up with Bill Hoon, who shares his incredible journey of growing his pizza business from a single night operation in a local bar to opening two successful brick-and-mortar locations in Northeast Ohio. Bill dives into the challenges he faced during the build-out process, the lessons learned along the way, and how he implemented efficient systems to scale his business.

MY OTHER SOCIALS:

🎙 My podcast Smart Pizza Marketing where I interview entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people -   

🌍  My website / blog - https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com

🐦  Twitter - https://twitter.com/spmpod

📸  Instagram - https://instagram.com/smartpizzamarketing

📱  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@smartpizzamarketing

👨‍💻  Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smartpizzamarketing

🎥  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/smartpizzamarketing

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

2:18 - From Bar to Brick-and-Mortar

4:16 - The Build-Out Process

5:30 - Opening the Second Location

7:38 - Choosing the Right Equipment

10:07 - Quality vs. Quantity

11:02 - Implementing Systems and Training

14:01 - Addressing Employee Challenges

15:45 - Handling Customer Feedback and Complaints

18:32 - Lessons Learned from the First Location

20:53 - The Importance of Marketing and Community Engagement

24:57 - Developing Effective Employee Review Processes

28:58 - Managing Growth and Maintaining Standards

31:43 - How to Reach Out to Bill for Advice and Questions

Summary

In this episode, Bruce Irving interviews the team behind Amadoris Pizzeria, a Detroit style pizza restaurant in Miami, Florida. They discuss the journey of starting the pizzeria during the pandemic, the unique appeal of Detroit style pizza, and the challenges faced in the pizza business, particularly regarding cheese prices and seasonal fluctuations. The conversation also covers marketing strategies, the role of social media and influencers, customer engagement through text and email marketing, and future expansion plans for the business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Amadoris Pizzeria

02:26 The Journey of Starting a Pizzeria

05:50 The Unique Appeal of Detroit Style Pizza

09:11 Challenges in the Pizza Business

12:33 Social Media and Marketing Strategies

15:32 The Role of Influencers in Business Growth

20:01 Navigating Seasonal Challenges

23:58 The Importance of Text and Email Marketing

26:27 Customer Engagement and Loyalty Programs

30:07 Handling Customer Feedback and Reviews

35:47 Future Plans and Expansion Goals

MY OTHER SOCIALS:

🎙 My podcast Smart Pizza Marketing where I interview entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people -   

🌍  My website / blog - https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com

🐦  Twitter - https://twitter.com/spmpod

📸  Instagram - https://instagram.com/smartpizzamarketing

📱  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@smartpizzamarketing

👨‍💻  Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smartpizzamarketing

🎥  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/smartpizzamarketing

In this podcast episode, Bruce Irving interviews Carlos from Vice City Pizza in Miami. They discuss how Vice City Pizza got started, the mistakes they made along the way, and the unique style of pizza they offer. Carlos shares his background in fine dining and how the pandemic influenced his decision to open a pizzeria.

Chapters

00:00 Starting a Pizza Business Out of Your House

04:09 The Importance of Recipe Improvement

08:54 The Influence of the Pandemic on the Pizza Industry

10:21 Exploring Different Pizza Styles

17:54 The Growing Pizza Scene in Florida

22:26 Vice City Pizza: A Twist on Traditional Pizza

23:24 Quality Ingredients and Unique Flavors

24:19 Adapting to the Changing Dining Landscape

25:27 Expanding the Vice City Pizza Empire

MY OTHER SOCIALS:

🎙 My podcast Smart Pizza Marketing where I interview entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people -   

🌍  My website / blog - https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com

🐦  Twitter - https://twitter.com/spmpod

📸  Instagram - https://instagram.com/smartpizzamarketing

📱  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@smartpizzamarketing

👨‍💻  Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smartpizzamarketing

🎥  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/smartpizzamarketing

Jamie McMahon, owner of Hickory Station Pizzeria, shares his experience in the pizza business and how he has adapted to modern marketing strategies. He discusses the shift from traditional marketing methods to text marketing and the success he has seen in increasing sales. 

Get on Slice: http://slicelife.com/smartpizza Work this us: https://smartpizzamarketing.com/pro Buy and Ooni Oven: https://smartpizzamarketing.com/ooni Buy a Baking Steel: https://smartpizzamarketing.com/bakingsteel

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:11 Implementing Modern Marketing Strategies

05:22 The Nightmare of Sending 12,000 Text Invitations

06:09 The Success of Text Marketing

09:19 The Value of Text Messages and Email Marketing

11:55 Utilizing Customer Data for Effective Email Marketing

14:26 The Importance of In-House Delivery Drivers

15:26 The Shift Towards In-House Delivery

15:38 The Benefits of In-House Delivery Drivers

17:20 Managing Delivery Drivers and Finding Balance

18:09 The Power of Text Marketing

19:26 The Impact of Online Ordering

21:10 The Value of a Rewards Program

In this episode, I chat with Darius Aram from Slice Street Pizza about the real challenges of running a pizzeria. We cover everything from managing delivery drivers to handling customer expectations and using third-party services. If you're a pizza operator looking for practical advice, this conversation is packed with insights to help your business thrive. Like, comment, and subscribe for more tips on running a successful pizzeria! Get on Slice: http://slicelife.com/smartpizza Work this us: https://smartpizzamarketing.com/pro Buy and Ooni Oven: https://smartpizzamarketing.com/ooni Buy a Baking Steel: https://smartpizzamarketing.com/bakingsteel Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction & Welcome 1:10 - Moving from California to Texas 3:30 - Opening a Pizzeria in a New Market 6:00 - Managing Delivery Drivers 9:45 - The Pros and Cons of Third-Party Delivery Services 13:20 - Handling Customer Expectations 17:05 - The Reality of Running a Pizzeria 21:00 - Struggles with POS Systems 26:30 - Balancing Cost and Quality in Pizza 31:00 - Marketing Strategies for Pizzerias 36:15 - The Role of Social Media in Pizza Business 42:00 - The Importance of Email and Text Marketing 48:00 - Advice for New Pizza Owners 54:00 - Future Plans & Final Thoughts MY OTHER SOCIALS: 🎙 My podcast Smart Pizza Marketing where I interview entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people - 🌍 My website / blog - https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com 🐦 Twitter - https://twitter.com/spmpod 📸 Instagram - https://instagram.com/smartpizzamarketing 📱 TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@smartpizzamarketing 👨‍💻 Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smartpizzamarketing 🎥 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/smartpizzamarketing

In this episode, Bruce welcomes back Ilir Sela, CEO of a leading platform dedicated to helping independent pizza shops thrive. Discover how Ilir and his team are revolutionizing the industry with innovative solutions for online ordering, point-of-sale systems, and discounted supplies. Get exclusive insights into the challenges and successes of modern pizza operations and learn how these game-changing strategies can transform your business. Don't miss this deep dive into the future of pizza with one of the industry's top visionaries.

Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Welcoming Ilir Sela 01:03 - Overview of the platform's products 02:36 - Solving the storage and distribution problem for pizza shops 03:55 - Service areas and expansion 06:06 - The challenge of running multiple locations 07:01 - Launching a point-of-sale system specifically for pizza shops 09:47 - Cost and benefits of the point-of-sale system 10:56 - Trends in the pizza industry 15:17 - Differentiating from third-party platforms 16:17 - The importance of service and customer retention 18:07 - Maximizing the value of existing customers 19:56 - Effective email and text marketing strategies 21:22 - Automated marketing tools provided by the platform 25:12 - Collaboration among pizza shops 29:20 - Customer behavior and loyalty 32:25 - Advice on viewing competitors as collaborators 33:17 - The trend towards self-delivery in pizza shops 35:31 - The benefits of self-delivery over third-party delivery 37:08 - Closing remarks and where to find more information

MY OTHER SOCIALS:

🎙 My podcast Smart Pizza Marketing where I interview entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people -   

🌍  My website / blog - https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com

🐦  Twitter - https://twitter.com/spmpod

📸  Instagram - https://instagram.com/smartpizzamarketing

📱  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@smartpizzamarketing

👨‍💻  Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smartpizzamarketing

🎥  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/smartpizzamarketing

In this episode of the podcast, Bruce sits down with Andres Maldonado Fuertes, the innovative mind behind Nona Street Pizza. They delve into the journey of launching a unique pizza concept in Orlando, from building a custom food truck to creating a menu that blends Neapolitan and New York styles with inventive twists. Andres shares the challenges and triumphs of starting the business, the importance of social media in their success, and their exciting plans for the future. Tune in to hear how Nona Street Pizza is setting itself apart in the crowded food scene.

MY OTHER SOCIALS:

🎙 My podcast Smart Pizza Marketing where I interview entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people -   

🌍  My website / blog - https://www.smartpizzamarketing.com

🐦  Twitter - https://twitter.com/spmpod

📸  Instagram - https://instagram.com/smartpizzamarketing

📱  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@smartpizzamarketing

👨‍💻  Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/smartpizzamarketing

🎥  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/smartpizzamarketing

Chapters for YouTube

0:00 - Introduction 0:53 - Meet Andres Maldonado Fuertes 1:18 - The Concept Behind Nona Street Pizza 3:30 - Unique Pizza Offerings and Fried Calzones 5:45 - Building the Custom Food Truck 9:00 - The Pizza Ovens and Cooking Process 12:00 - Developing the Perfect Pizza Dough 14:45 - Creative Pizza Toppings and Ingredients 16:15 - The Role of Social Media in Success 19:45 - The Importance of Influencers and Local Foodies 23:00 - Challenges and Learnings from the First Year 25:00 - Expanding to a Second Location 27:30 - Long-Term Vision and Continuous Improvement 30:00 - Favorite Pizza Places in Orlando 32:10 - Closing Remarks and Where to Find Nona Street Pizza