Pizza King Podcast: Empowering Pizzeria Leadership

You can’t run a pizza shop on gut feelings. In this Takeout Tips episode, Tyrell breaks down how to make smarter, data-driven decisions using what your POS is already telling you.

He shares a real example from an operator who nearly wasted a campaign on the wrong customers and explains how to build better habits with weekly dashboards, simple metrics, and pattern spotting.

You’ll learn:

Ric Gruber, CEO of Billy Bricks Pizza, shares how he scaled Chicago's first wood-fired brand into a multi-unit operation with restaurants, mobile pizza trucks, and Moo Joe's Ice Cream. 

He broke down how they:

• Built repeatable systems for growth and accountability
• Use weekly manager rundowns to drive clarity
• Track key restaurant metrics like labor, food cost, and guest feedback
• Improved their speed to lead for catering and events
• Rolled out tech like Square and MarginEdge the smart way
• Created bonus plans that actually motivate managers

Get your notepad because Ric’s...

In this Sunday Q&A, I answer 20 operator questions on delivery apps, marketing ROI, loyalty, reviews, labor, inventory, and delivery profitability. You get the exact metrics, systems, and scripts I use to run tighter shops. 

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Every shop has unwritten rules, and some of them cost you money. In today’s episode I break down common kitchen superstitions, why they show up, and how to keep standards high to the last minute of service.
Send me your shop’s unwritten rules. 

Halloween lands on a Friday this year. That means chaos for most pizzerias. In this Takeout Tip, I break down how to prep in the next two weeks to stay fast, stocked, and profitable. From staffing and preorders to menu simplification and flow, this plan keeps you in control when the orders flood in.

If you want your Halloween night to run smooth, this is your playbook.

Before there was the Pizza King Podcast, there was “That’s On Everything.” In this crossover episode, I sit down with my brothers Corey, Bruce, and Jay to talk life, peace, family, and pizza. 

We get into what it really takes to stay consistent, the power of local pizzerias, and why pizza connects people more than anything else. This one’s fun, raw, and real—just like the start of every great idea. 

Check out the full video on Youtube HERE

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 You do not need a budget to start your email program. In this workshop, I show pizzeria owners how to use three free tools—Mailchimp, Canva, and ChatGPT—to build a simple email list, create a QR code for signups, and send your first message this week. You will learn what to write, when to send it, and how to track results. 

If you want more help join in our live workshops or email me directly to book a call info@tyrellreed.com

Jesse Heredia, owner of Jesse’s Pizza Co. in Borger, Texas, shares how he took over a struggling shop with net-7 terms, cut the chaos, rebuilt the flow, and won the town back. We cover menu discipline, culture, community giving, second-chance hiring, and why he tests new pies on a buffet to get instant feedback. We also talk future plans and lessons from his time in law enforcement. 

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You feel busy, then you leave the shop with nothing finished. I used to live there. Today I break down why multitasking kills your results and what to do instead. We cover time blocks, daily priorities, better delegation, and quiet zones. You will leave with a simple focus plan you can run today. Multitasking can drop productivity by up to 40 percent. Let’s fix that. 

You asked. I answered. Today I run through 20 questions new and future pizzeria owners keep asking. Startup costs. Profit timelines. Permits. Location. Kitchen design. Equipment. POS. Vendors. Breakeven. Food cost. Pricing. Labor. Hiring. Culture. Delivery. Low budget marketing. All clear. All practical. Use this to plan your next move. 

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Delivery grows reach fast, or drains cash. You decide by timing, costs, and tight systems. In this episode you get a readiness checklist, true cost factors, fee and minimums that protect margin, zone setup, and a simple hybrid model that uses first party orders with third party drivers. You also get examples you can copy today, including a delivery fee split and distance-based pricing. 

It’s okay to outsource what you’re not good at. It’s not okay to be blind to what’s happening in your business. In this Takeout Tip, I break down why every pizzeria owner and manager needs to understand the systems, numbers, and details that keep their shop running. From social media to POS reports, knowing the basics keeps you from being taken advantage of and helps you lead with confidence. 

Key Takeaways

Five years in. A tiny shop with a big standard. Johnny Carrillo shares how Pizza Collective in Reno stayed alive, grew sales year over year, and kept bread the star. We talk early crises, community, simple systems, and promoting leaders from within. If you run a small shop, this one is for you. 

Learn more thepizzacollectivereno.com

Follow on IG @thepizzacollectivereno

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Today I break down six signals that help you spot a future leader in your shop. You will hear what ownership looks like on the floor, why caring about people matters, and how consistency, smart questions, and coachability separate the next captain from everyone else. I end with a simple play, give them small leadership reps and watch how they handle the work. Rate and review the show, then share it with one operator who needs this. New episodes all month for National Pizza Month. 

 What to do next
 • Give small reps, lead the pre-shift huddle, own t...

National Pizza Month continues. I walk you through exactly how I would start a pizza business today. We cover concept, business plan, startup costs, permits, site selection, layout, menu costing, hiring, training, pre-opening marketing, and the grand opening. You will leave with a checklist you can use this week. I also share practical targets, how to run quick break-even math, and how to stock your reviews before day one. Listen. Take notes. Then move. 

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Owning a pizza shop looks fun from the outside. But behind every great pie are real struggles that most operators never talk about.

In this episode, I break down the five biggest challenges every pizzeria owner faces and how to beat them. From hiring and rising food costs to burnout and bad marketing, I share the lessons I’ve learned over two decades in the business and what it really takes to run a thriving shop.

You’ll learn:
• How to hire and keep the right people
• What to do when food cos...

Day five of the podcast-a-thon. I answer real questions from owners and new operators. We talk true startup costs, profitable formats, and how to pick a location. I share the core gear you should never cheap out on, how to train for consistency, and how to keep people engaged. We hit turnover, leadership pipelines, and the path to your first 100 repeat customers. 

I close with when to think about store two, and what must be true before you expand. Simple, direct, what works in the real world. 

Join me on Tuesdays at 2 pm EST for th...

I sold the shop, but I refuse to lose my edge. Today I share how I stay in the game when I’m not in daily ops. Pizza Friday at home with my boys. Testing flatbreads. Why “just like riding a bike” is a lie when you stop pedaling. How I use events, workshops, and hands-on reps to keep learning. I also break down the six-day schedule that feels like five, a simple pattern that saved my managers from burnout. I close with where you can meet me live, plus the weekly workshop invite. Mastery never ends. Neither should your r...

Weekly inventory is not paperwork, it is protection. You cut waste. You stop over ordering. You find theft and portion issues fast. I show you how to set the cadence, set up your count sheet, and compare usage to sales so your food cost drops and your cashflow improves. Start this week. Track results for four weeks. Watch your margin rise. 

Short solo episode. Day 2 of my 31-day podcast-a-thon for National Pizza Month. I share why I am doing this daily, how it forces cleaner workflows, and why quick daily episodes help you win. We talk about the origin of National Pizza Month in the 1980s and how shops use October for smart promos, fundraisers, and team engagement. I ask you what you are doing in your shop this month. Shirts. Givebacks. Weekly specials. Events. Pick something and move. 

Join my live Tuesday workshop at 2 pm Eastern to level up your leadership and manager development. Link in the s...

I kick off National Pizza Month with a tribute to Westshore Pizza, the brand that shaped my career. From Bobby V’s first shop in Tampa in 1994 to its rapid growth, I share stories, lessons, and even call Bob himself to set the record straight on an old rumor. 

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I sat down with Ilir Sela, founder and CEO of Slice, to talk about how independent pizzerias can compete with the big chains. Slice started as an online ordering platform and has grown into a network of 15,000 shops across all 50 states. Ilir shared how Slice helps with POS, marketing, supplies, and even answering phones so operators don’t leave money on the table. We also talked about the value of scale, why focusing on existing customers beats chasing new ones, and how Slice is building the future for independents. 

If you run a shop or plan to ope...

In this week’s Takeout Tip, I’m sharing one of the simplest but most impactful lessons in leadership: you inspect what you expect. I talk about a real story from my early days in the business and how consistent inspection raised the bar for my team.

I break down how small details, like the way cash was stacked or how clean the make line stayed, turned into daily standards that drove long-term success.

I also give you three practical ways to put this philosophy to work in your shop right now:

Banks freeze your money. Credit cards take 3 percent. What if there was a better way?
In this episode, I sit down with Bryan Barton from Food Token to talk about how restaurants can start accepting Bitcoin and cryptocurrency with zero hassle. We break down how Food Token converts crypto into gift cards, what it costs (just 10 cents a transaction), and why early adopters will stand out with customers. Bryan also shares the story of how he got “de-banked” 24 times and turned that frustration into a solution for operators.

In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast, we t...

Overwhelmed by everything you want to fix in your pizzeria? Tyrell Reed shares Michael LaMarca’s approach from the Pizza Power Forum: solve one problem a week and build steady momentum

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Want to connect? Send me an email to info@tyrellreed.com

In this episode of the Pizza King Podcast, host Tyrell Reed speaks with Garrett Klein, owner of Vincenzo's Pizzeria in Levittown, New York. They discuss the journey of running a pizzeria, the importance of community support, and the challenges of maintaining quality and pricing in the pizza business. Garrett shares his love for pizza, the cultural significance of New York-style pizza, and the balance between giving back to the community while navigating customer expectations. The conversation highlights the personal and professional growth that comes with owning a business and the value of building strong community connections. In this engaging...

In this Takeout Tip, I’m breaking down five simple ways you can build trust fast with your pizzeria team. Trust isn’t built on big, flashy moments—it’s stacked up from the small, consistent things you do every day. I’ll share why showing up steady, being transparent, following through on promises, owning mistakes, and listening more than you talk are the keys to creating a culture where your crew believes in you and each other.

Short, simple, and ready to put into practice today in your shop.

Summary
In this episode of the Pizza King podcast, Tyrell Reed shares insights from his recent experience at the Pizza Power Forum. He emphasizes the importance of community within the pizza industry, highlights key networking opportunities, and discusses valuable lessons learned from industry leaders, particularly from Chick-fil-A. The conversation also covers marketing strategies, the significance of creating genuine connections, and practical advice for scaling a pizza business. Tyrell encourages listeners to engage with their communities and continue learning to drive success in their pizza ventures.

Takeaways:

In this Takeout Tip, I share a line I picked up at the Pizza Power Forum that hit me hard: “Create conversations, not campaigns.” Most operators treat social media like a flyer, posting specials and coupons with no real connection. I explain why that approach doesn’t work and how you can shift your strategy.

I walk through:

If your social media feels more like a bulletin board...

Learn how to cut costs in your pizzeria without cutting quality. In this episode, Tyrell Reed shares three proven strategies every operator can use: portion control to keep food costs in line, smart ordering to avoid waste, and efficient scheduling to save on labor. These steps can add up to thousands of dollars in savings each month while keeping your pizzas, service, and customer experience consistent. If you’re serious about profitability and growth, this episode will help you run a leaner, smarter shop. 

Cheese is the biggest cost in your shop, and if you’re not tracking it, you’re losing money. In this Takeout Tip I show you how just one extra ounce per pizza can cost nearly $6,000 a year. 

Today’s episode is sponsored by Tyrell Reed—download your free New Store Opening Checklist 

https://go.tyrellreed.com/checklist

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Want to connect? Send me an email to info@tyrellreed.com

In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast, I sit down with Matthew Zeiss, better known online as @swedza, the creator of Holy Hot Honey. Matt shares his journey from growing up on Long Island to moving to Sweden, where he discovered a completely different pizza culture. One where kebab pizza reigns supreme and Friday night means tacos, not pizza.

We talk about his deep dive into making authentic New York–style pizza at home, how that passion led to experimenting with hot honey recipes, and why his version brings a sa...

In this Takeout Tip, Tyrell Reed explains how clear expectations on day one improve pizza shop training and team performance. Learn a simple way to set non-negotiables with new hires and build a stronger restaurant culture.

Takeout Tips are quick bites of restaurant leadership and pizza business advice from the Pizza King Podcast.

For more tools and full episodes, follow the Pizza King Podcast. 

Most restaurants don’t fail because of bad food. They fail because of poor leadership. In this episode, Tyrell Reed shares lessons from his California Restaurant Show session Lead the Shift, including how to train managers who lead, not babysit, and why systems, not goals, drive success. Plus, news on his upcoming book Lead the Shift.

The California Restaurant Show 2025 brought pizzeria owners, restaurant operators, and the pizza industry together under one roof. Hear my highlights from the event, leadership lessons from the stage, and visits to some of the best pizza shops in California. 

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What can a pizza operator learn from a guy who's built and scaled 12 online brands to over $10 million in sales — without a warehouse, storefront, or full-time staff? 

In this episode, I sit down with Neil Twa, Amazon FBA expert and co-author of Almost-Automated Income, to unpack the systems, mindset, and data-driven strategy behind his success. 

We cover: 

In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast, I break down what it’s really like to sell your pizza shop after 23 years in the business. From running seven Westshore Pizza locations to navigating the emotional ups and downs of exiting the business, I share the behind-the-scenes story of my final days as a restaurant owner.

Whether you're thinking about selling your pizzeria, planning your exit strategy, or just curious about what life looks like after ownership—this one's for you. I also talk about what's next: my focus on coaching pizza operators, building community, and (yes) stil...

I used to think Gen Z was just entitled and lazy—until I realized I needed to shift how I lead. In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s actually working inside my pizzeria to lead and connect with Gen Z employees.

From coaching in the moment to celebrating small wins and using the tools they actually prefer, I share real-life strategies that have helped me go from frustrated to fired up about this new generation. If you're struggling to manage your younger team, this one’s for you.

🎧 Plus: I challenge you to try just on...

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Giffin, founder of Commercial Kitchen Stop, to talk shop — literally. Ryan and I dig into everything from smart kitchen design to saving real money when you're building out a new pizzeria.

He shares how he went from side hustling and cutting bold purchase orders during COVID to becoming one of the top 100 kitchen dealers in the country. We talk about his recent acquisition of a competitor, how he helps operators stretch their startup budgets, and what equipment is worth investing in (and where you can save big).

We...

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 getting burned by hidden fees or rushed installs...