Peel: A PMQ Pizza Podcast

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-triple-beam-pizza-breaks-it-down/

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 Sicilian-style pizza (40:20).

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 Team happenings (37:39).

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 Forum: pizzapowerforum.com.

Video of Christina discussing impersonation saga: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C54Hs0FyYIE/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

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 'Sota Style pizza: https://www.pmq.com/how-reds-savoy-took-sota-style-from-no-such-thing-to-a-regional-phenomenon/

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).

Latinos en Pizza journal: https://www.pmq.com/spreading-the-gospel-of-pizza-a-groups-journey-through-latin-america-part-1/

Pizza Power Forum: pizzapowerforum.com.

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 events, including the Pizza Power Forum (56:45).