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 veteran turned dough master, to talk about his journey from the battlefield to the kitchen, his passion for pizza, and the art of creating culinary masterpieces. Chef Hector shares how his love for cooking became a healing outlet and a source of purpose after retiring from the military.

Where to Find Chef Hector Sanchez:

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 Pizza LA, to hear his inspiring journey from a corporate recruiting career to becoming a full-time pizza entrepreneur. Adrion shares how he turned a layoff into an opportunity, creating a unique brand featuring pizzas with his signature black crust made from activated charcoal. We dive into the value of starting small, building community, and staying true to your vision. This conversation is packed with inspiration and practical advice for anyone dreaming of building something amazing from scratch.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Key Takeaways

Sustainable Growth: Adrion’s vision for BLK Crust includes organic growth, starting with pop-ups, moving to a food truck, and eventually expanding to brick-and-mortar locations.

Give them a follow on IG: @BLKCRUST

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 regarding gift card promotions and highlights the significant impact gift cards can have on driving customer traffic and increasing sales. The discussion also touches on the future of gift cards, particularly the rise of e-cards, and concludes with how businesses can connect with Swipe It for support and guidance.

- Gift cards can significantly enhance customer engagement and sales.

- Small to mid-sized businesses often need more help with gift card programs.

- Exposure is key to selling gift cards effectively.

- E-cards are becoming increasingly popular for convenience.

- Many gift cards go unredeemed, benefiting businesses financially.

- Gift cards serve as a cost-effective marketing tool.

- Support and consulting are crucial for successful gift card programs.

- The gift card industry is growing, especially during the holiday season.

- Local businesses can benefit from regional gift card promotions.

- Building relationships with clients is essential for long-term success.

Connect with Larry and the Swipeit team

Website: www.swipeit.com

Email: [email protected]

Insta: @swipeitgiftcards

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SwipeItGiftCards/

Thank you to our podcast supporters!

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, 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

Takeaways

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 resilience of my family and our pizza business as we navigated the aftermath of back-to-back hurricanes in Florida. Join me for an honest, eye-opening conversation on the unexpected challenges and real-life moments that come with running a restaurant.

If you enjoyed this episode, I’d love to hear your feedback! And be sure to follow me on Instagram @tyrellreedsr for a behind-the-scenes look at my pizza life, industry tips, and more stories from the world of restaurant ownership.

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 King

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:

I also share this week’s Team Building Tip: how to build trust as a leader. Trust is the foundation for any great team, and in this episode, I dive into the practical steps you can take to foster trust with your team.

Tune in for all this and more on The Pizza King Podcast!