Peel: A PMQ Pizza Podcast

Matt Plapp, CEO of America’s Best Restaurants and DRYVER—as well as a regular guest contributor to PMQ—joins the show to discuss the biggest mistakes pizzeria operators are making when it comes to marketing (2:21). Plapp also shares how an early understanding of the internet—and its potential as a marketing tool—helped build his career. Plapp also dives into why you will always see him wearing ora...

Tyrell Reed, franchisee at Westshore Pizza outside of Tampa, Florida, joins the show to discuss his pizza origin story and what made him want to start his own podcast (2:37). Reed shares his first humbling experience as a franchisee and what he had to do differently the second time around in order to be successful. He also talks about work-life balance as a shop owner, husband and father and share...

Leah Scurto joins the show to discuss her upbringing in Northern California and how she broke into pizza (3:00). Scurto also discusses how nervous she was cooking for a certain celebrity, what it was like to launch her own restaurant and what her long-term goals are for the future. Later in the show, Brian Hernandez gives a U.S. Pizza Team update, recapping the team’s performance in Las Vegas and...

Rich Payne of Dough and Behold joins the show to talk about attending Pizza Expo with two other British pop-up pizza makers (2:29). Payne describes what his first-ever trip to the U.S. was like, and how he got into pizza in the first place. He also discusses his approach to using Instagram, and why he’s gone all in on “sarnies.” PMQ story about Payne: https://www.pmq.com/feng-chen-and-richard-payn...

Salvatore Reina of Francesca Pizza and Pasta joins the show to discuss how his shops attack marketing (2:52). Reina explains why he has rarely spent money on advertising and where he would rather invest his money. He also discusses how his mindset has changed in the 17 years he has been running a pizza place—and why your numbers are of utmost importance. Episode 18 of Peel (Sal’s first podcast app...

Michael Fox joins the show to talk about the origins of Pizza Club, the virtual community of pizza professionals, home pizza makers and pizza enthusiasts (3:39). Michael discusses some of the things he’s learned during his five years inside of the industry, how Pizza Club has inspired him and others, and what he does at his day job as founder and executive producer at The Beach, a New York City-ba...

Kim Juda, VP of operations for Crust Pizza Co., joins the show to talk about her background and how she is helping Crust scale its footprint (3:05). Juda talks about some things she learned during her time with Quiznos, Dickey’s Barbecue Pit and a few other brands, and gives a picture of how and where Crust Pizza Co. is growing its print. Later in the show, Satyne Doner, associate editor of the Wi...

Stephanie Swane, publisher of Modernist Cuisine, as well as Laura Meyer, owner and operator of Pizzeria Da Laura in Berkeley, California, join the show (3:53). Stephanie and Laura discuss how they became acquainted, their new joint venture, Fork to Future, and what they have planned for Women’s Pizza Month. Laura also talks about founding Pizzeria Da Laura and competing on the international stage,...

Colin M. Caplan, owner of Taste of New Haven, the New Haven-based tour company, joins the show to chat about his background and love for all things apizza (2:32). Colin also shares his feelings about Pepe’s and Sally’s expanding outside of New Haven, as well as some of his experiences eating pizza outside of Connecticut. There is also some discussion of Colin spearheading the effort to name New Ha...

Brian Lewis and Eunice Carter join the show to share the origin story of Bocado Pizza and how (and why) the brand launched a line of better-for-you frozen pizza (2:42). Lewis talks about his culinary background, his famous Bocado Burger and how the food scene in Atlanta has changed over the years. Carter shares some details about who Bocado is targeting with its frozen pizza. Later, in a new Style...

A.J. “Auggie” Russo of Tiny Pizza Kitchen joins the show to discuss his early roots in the pizza business and how the pandemic pushed him back into the industry (2:41). Russo also discusses his Fennel Bourbon Candied Hot Peppers and the bump in popularity they received from talk show host Stephen Colbert. Colbert and his wife, Evie, featured Russo’s recipe for the hot peppers in their cookbook, “D...

Troy Tracy, CEO of Emmy Squared Pizza, joins the show to talk about his vision for the brand (2:21). Tracy also discusses his background in the restaurant industry and what it was like to do field research for the Detroit-style pizza chain. Later in the show, Brian Hernandez joins for a special Style Guide segment discussing New England Greek Pizza. Prior to that, Charlie gives some context to the...

Eidref Laxa, founder of the What's Good Dough? podcast, joins the show to talk about a recent life decision he made: To quit his job of 9 years and go all in on pizza (2:41). Laxa also shares what made him want to get into pizza in the first place and why he launched a podcast about his pizza journey. Later in the show, Brian Hernandez shares information related to the U.S. Pizza Team and breaks d...

Josh Sickels, owner and operator of Rockaway Pizzeria, joins the show to discuss a recent pizza-eating road trip he took through Eastern Pennysylvania, New Jersey, New York City and New Haven, Connecticut (3:01). The trip took place after Rockaway Pizzeria received an 8.2 "One Bite" Review from Dave Portnoy. Rockaway was mobbed by crowds, even more so than usual, for weeks afterwards. Sickels also...

Janet Zapata of 550 Pizzeria in Laredo, Texas, joins the pod to talk about her first job, at Cicis Pizza, raising a daughter as a single mother, and how she came to own her own pizzeria in her hometown (1:41). Later in the show, Brian Hernandez stops by for a Style Guide discussion surrounding Omaha-style pizza (37:10). August 2022 feature story about Zapata: https://www.pmq.com/550-pizzeria/

Juan Robles, executive chef of Triple Beam Pizza, comes on the show to discuss his leadership style, as well as the commissary kitchen model Triple Beam is using to scale its Roman-style pizza concept (2:30). Later in the show, Brian Hernandez joins for a Style Guide discussion about Jersey Boardwalk Pizza (44:32). Relevant links: https://www.pmq.com/what-is-empathetic-leadership-juan-robles-of-tr...

Salvatore Reina joins the show to discuss his two-store, New Jersey-based brand, Francesca Pizza and Pasta (2:28). Reina talks about what possessed him to take on $300,000 worth of debt and buy a pizzeria without a real business plan. He also dives into how he's managed to have a long-tenured staff at both of his shops. Later in the show, Brian Hernandez joins for a deep dive into Pan-Fried Sicili...

Sean Jefairjian of A Slice of New York in Murrysville, Pennsylvania, joins the show to discuss the recent 8.2 rating he received in a Dave Portnoy One Bit Review (2:43). Sean breaks down what the day was like and how business has fared since. Later, Brian Hernandez joins the show to discuss PMQ's Pizza Power Forum (30:47).

Marc Schechter of Square Pie Guys joins the show to talk about the history behind his three-store, Detroit-style pizza brand in the Bay Area and the unique satellite store model it has used to scale (2:58). He also discusses his role in managing one of the biggest pizza-related Instagram accounts in the biz. Later in the show, Brian Hernandez joins to fill in listeners on a slew of the U.S. Pizza...

Charlie lets listeners know that there will be no new episode this week. Listeners can expect a new episode out on Monday, Sept. 16.

Christina Martin, owner and operator of Manizza's Pizza in Las Vegas, joins the show to talk about how she got into pizza, building a strong culture in her shop, and how she tracked down a person who was (allegedly) posing as her business on a third-party delivery platform (3:12). Charlie also discusses the upcoming Pizza Power Forum and gives away two free tickets via promo code. Pizza Power Foru...

Fran Garcia of Artichoke Basille's Pizza comes on the show to talk about his latest concept, Panko Pizza, in Middletown, New Jersey (1:57). Garcia also recounts what his childhood was like growing up in Staten Island, and why owning a pizzeria was always the career he envisioned. Later in the show, Brian Hernandez joins to chat about 'Sota Style pizza (38:21). Link to Tracy Morin's story about 'So...

Alessio Lacco and Sofia Arango come on the show to discuss how their early histories, how they met, and how they ended up starting Atlanta Pizza Truck (4:17). Alessio and Sofia also share some of their future plans, and touch on Sofia's popular Instagram page, Latinos en Pizza. Later in the show, Charlie and Brian discuss DC Jumbo Slice and how much of a "legit" style it is—or isn't (42:14). Latin...

Juan Gabriel Perez of Posto joins the podcast to talk about growing up in Colombia, emigrating to the U.S., and how a job at California Pizza Kitchen eventually led him to Posto (3:05). Perez also discusses the massive growth of his Instagram account (@Juangpizza) and the things he'd like to achieve in the world of pizza. Later, Brian Hernandez joins the show to discuss some exciting upcoming even...

Charlie welcomes Tom Krouse, CEO of Donatos Pizza, onto the podcast (2:47). Krouse shares stories from his early career, including his tenure at Wendy's working directly under Dave Thomas. He also discusses some early missteps at Donatos and what it took to build the brand up to where it is today. Later in the show, Brian and Charlie discuss Hot Oil Bar Pizza on Style Guide with Brian Hernandez (4...