The Hot Slice

Send us Fan Mail Detroit-style pizza has exploded across the U.S. Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer ‘sit down’ with the Chief Brand Office at Buddy’s Pizza Wes Pikula. Wes takes us through Buddy’s past, present and future. Wes talks: The origins of the “Detroit Style” Detroit Style’s popularity explosion Big moments in Buddy’s Pizza history Buddy’s Focus and Principles...

Send us Fan Mail Leah Scurto opened her Sonoma, California-area pizzeria, PizzaLeah, just four days before the COVID-19 shutdown. She talks candidly about the realities of operating a new business with Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Leah shares how she’s lifting other women in the industry up and how her career at Pizza My Heart has helped pave the way to ownership...

Send us Fan Mail Jeremy White and Denise Greer sit down with Dave Dombrowski, owner of PizzaMia in New Lenox, Illinois, for this week's episode of the Hot Slice. An experienced operator, Dave will celebrate 30 years in the pizza business this July. He discusses the technological changes that have taken over since he opened his pizzeria, as well as how the pandemic has impacted PizzaMia.--- Se...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer introduce a one-on-one marketing trends talk with Denise and Clayton Krueger, Director of Marketing and Communications at Tacoma, Washington-based Farrelli’s Pizza. We’re talking what’s hot, what’s not in marketing. Clayton talks: Marketing Trends Third-party Delivery Local Advertising SMS Marketing Pu...

Send us Fan Mail This episode, we tap one of the most brilliant minds in the pizza business John Arena. John owns Metro Pizza in Las Vegas. He is not only a successful pizzapreneur, but also a dough expert and mentor to many in the field. The “sit down” is hosted by Editor In Chief Jeremy White and Executive Editor Denise Greer. John talks: Common industry questions and his responses His pizza sta...

Send us Fan Mail To kick off Season, one of the pizzeria industry’s top pros Mike Bausch has taken over the podcast. He’s talking to Alfredo Herera, Mike’s right hand at Andolini’s before setting out on his own business in Colorado. Listen to this insightful conversation. Mike is an industry leader whose restaurant, Andolini’s Pizzeria, is a top ten pizzeria in the US, as named by TripAdvisor, Buz...

Send us Fan Mail Michael Androw made a huge decision with his pizzeria, E and D Pizza Company, Avon, Connecticut, to permanently switch to a DELCO model. Get insights on why and how Michael transitioned to DELCO. This episode is hosted by Editor In Chief Jeremy White and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Michael talks: Community focus Family market Converting to a DELCO model Transitioning Staff Mark...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we answer your questions. We’re talking pizza styles and ovens, hiring employees, text marketing, Pizza Expo 2021 and more. Editor-In-Chief Jeremy White, Creative Director Josh Keown, Executive Editor Denise Greer and Design Lead Katie Wilson share pizzeria industry insights. Show Notes: Hiring Tips: https://pizzatoday.com/departments/back-office/mikes-monthly-tip-the-f...

Send us Fan Mail Jeremy White and Josh Keown talk shop with Joe Fugere, founder of Tutta Bella Neapolitan Pizzeria in Seattle. Joe shares his vision on the pizzeria of the future, discusses his innovative employee programs and details how the grocery business and a mobile unit helped Tutta Bella thrive during a pandemic.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-hot-slice/message

Send us Fan Mail On this week's Hot Slice podcast we sit down with Pizza Czar author, globetrotting consultant, Pizza Expo speaker and all-around pizza lover, Anthony Falco. From Texas to Seattle to Brooklyn, and beyond, Falco shares his tells from inside the pizza world with Jeremy White and Josh Keown. Don't miss it!--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-hot-slice/message

Send us Fan Mail The energetic and savvy entrepreneur Melissa Rickman of Wholly Stromboli in Lupton, Colorado, drops great advice on menus, employee retention and startup mistakes. She’s also a frequent speaker at Pizza Expo. Melissa talks: COVID-19 impact and shifts Outdoor Dining Menu Changes Strategic and expansion planning Staff Programs Common business startup mistakes Catch Melissa’s Checkin...

Send us Fan Mail We brought World Pizza Champion and Restaurateur Tony Gemignani and his right hand Laura Meyer, also a World Champion, together to talk pizza business and the next big thing in the industry. This episode is hosted by Pizza Today Executive Editor Denise Greer and Editor In Chief Jeremy White. Tony and Laura talk: -How COVID-19 has changed the business -The pizza school -Pizza Style...

Send us Fan Mail We’re peeling back the curtain to share a sneak peek at Pizza Expo 365, the most comprehensive pizzeria resource platform to learn, shop and connect 24/7. The Pizza Today Editorial Team detail exclusive details on what’s on Pizza Expo 365, its launch date and the first competition dates. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the insides scoop on all things Pizza Expo 365. Sign up now...

Send us Fan Mail So long 2020! The team at Pizza Today wraps up this year with a compilation of the best stories and advice on The Hot Slice podcast. The pizzeria industry’s brightest minds dropping knowledge on one episode. It’s a can’t miss.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/the-hot-slice/message

Send us Fan Mail The editorial team at Pizza Today come together to share New Year’s resolutions. We pay tribute to our Dough Doctor Tom Lehmann. Editor-In-Chief Jeremy White, Creative Director Josh Keown, Executive Editor Denise Greer and Design Lead Katie Wilson share their experiences covering the pizzeria industry. The team talks: The impact Tom Lehmann has had on American pizzerias 2020 Pizze...

Send us Fan Mail Adam Borich, owner of the five-unit Lucifers Pizza, gets real on the devastating second wave restaurant dining shutdowns in Los Angeles with Editor in Chief Jeremy White and Executive Editor Denise Greer. While times are tough, Lucifers has managed to thrive and grow amidst the pandemic.    Adam talks: Latest Restaurant Dining Shutdown in Los Angeles  How the Recent Shutdown Compa...

Send us Fan Mail Get the lowdown on Detroit-style pizza by none other than Motor City native Jeff Smokevitch, who leads a comprehensive demonstration on the style at International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Jeff owns Brown Dog Pizza in Telluride, Colorado and Blue Pan Pizza in Denver. We also pay tribute to Shawn Randazzo, who was the catalyst for Detroit style’s rise across the country. This episod...

Send us Fan Mail Jeremy White and Josh Keown sit down with pizzeria owner, speaker and newly minted author, Mike Bausch, to talk about Lou Diamond Phillips, Hall and Oates, Mary Poppins, The Wizard of Oz — and why Bausch only plays Billy Ocean songs in this restrooms. Seriously, it's what they talk about it. We can't make this stuff up. Fortunately, they also mention pizza and Mike'...

Send us Fan Mail "Happy Thanksgiving! Today, we revisit one of our favorite episodes, an interview World Pizza Champion and Restaurateur Tony Gemignani, based in San Francisco. Tony talks COVID-19 response at his 20 restaurants, including completely revamping the Capo pizza concept during the shutdown. He also shares his strategy for opening new restaurants. This episode is hosted by Editor I...

Send us Fan Mail Listen as the editorial team at Pizza Today come together to share what’s happening in the pizzeria industry. Get the inside scoop on Pizza Expo 2021 and the launch of Pizza Expo 365. Editor-In-Chief Jeremy White, Creative Director Josh Keown, Executive Editor Denise Greer and Design Lead Katie Wilson share their experiences covering the pizzeria industry. We talk: Pizza Expo’s ne...

Send us Fan Mail As part of our continuing coverage of COVID-19 Pizzeria Impact Stories, we have a unique Q&A provided by Tailgate Brewery with three locations in Nashville, Tennessee. Marketing Manager Liz Tarry sits down with Owner and Brewmaster Wesley Keegan to share their story. This episode is hosted by Editor In Chief Jeremy White and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Wesley talks: The bre...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is dedicated to one of the COVID-19 Pizzeria Impact Stories that we’re featuring all month. Jet’s Pizza is one of America’s largest pizza companies with hundreds of locations in 19 states, helping move Detroit-style pizza mainstream. Listen to an engaging roundtable discussion with Jet’s Pizza leadership, including Jimmy Galloway, Vice President of Franchise Sales; Jo...

Send us Fan Mail This week, Nick Strawhecker gives us an update on Dante in Omaha, Nebraska. Chef/Owner Nick shares how Dante has thrived while he has moved into a new role with the restaurant. This episode is hosted by Executive Editor Denise Greer and Creative Director Josh Keown. Nick talks: Dante thriving through the pandemic The reality of closing his second restaurant Work-life Balance Movin...

Send us Fan Mail Ali Haider, owner of 786 Degrees Wood Fired Pizza in Sun Valley and Pasadena, California, is here to bring some inspiration to the podcast this week. Ali is a super positive and passionate chef/owner with an International approach to his menus. This episode is hosted by Creative Director Josh Keown and Executive Editor Denise Greer. Ali talks: Opening a second location in a very d...

Send us Fan Mail World Pizza Champion and self-proclaimed “dough nerd” Will Grant joins us on The Hot Slice podcast to talk sourdough. Will is hands on at the 37-year-old family pizzeria That’s a Some Pizza and the newly opened Sourdough Willy’s, in Bainbridge Island, Washington. This episode is hosted by Creative Director Josh Keown and Editor In Chief Jeremy White.   Will talks:  The pizzeria’s...