Pizza King Podcast: Empowering Pizzeria Leadership

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 t...

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 g...

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...

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...

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, per...

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 indust...

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 th...

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 pitmaste...

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 quick...

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...

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...

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 b...

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 invol...

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....

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 Frenc...

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,...

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 vetera...

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 Pi...

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 rega...

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...

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 resilienc...

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 K...

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 combinat...

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 e...

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 o...