With over 30 toppings plus multiple crust and cheese options, simplifying the choices was key. We introduced clever combos like the Roasted Root 66 and bundled meals with a slice, salad or breadstick, and a drink—giving guests easy ways to enjoy the menu without feeling overwhelmed.
This was a standout slice of pepperoni pizza, my friend. We stacked traditional, diced, and cup-n-char pep on a cut from our 24" Red Pie. The dough and sauce were vegan, so guests could go full vegan or layer on classic cheese and pepperoni. That flexibility streamlined production and sharpened our focus—right in line with the strict routines we’d already established in our gluten-free kitchen.
This plan reflects the wide range of skills I put to work even before the lease was signed. It went through countless iterations, and I learned a ton by digging into every element of building a business. I sifted through advice—some urging me to never open a restaurant—and came out with a clear grasp of variable vs. fixed costs, how to build a detailed 5-year forecast, and what it really takes to secure a location and bring an idea to life. My wife, our two kids, and I took that dream and made it real. For a while.
We pulled together investment dollars (not enough) and jumped into the highs and lows of competing in a crowded pizza market. At our best, we served an undeniably great pizza in a space with real character. By early 2019, sales were growing 10–25% month over month. But then came the hits: nine months of road construction, a global pandemic, and skyrocketing costs of goods and labor. By 2022, we had to close our doors.
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