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Pizza Marketplace's Top 5 Articles for 2024
A look back at the top five articles that captured our audience's attention this year.
December 19, 2024 by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group
The pizza industry continues to show resilience in 2024, navigating a complex economic landscape. While some larger chains have seen strong growth, others have faced challenges. Industry-wide, there's a focus on adapting to changing consumer preferences. This includes an emphasis on quality ingredients, diverse menu options catering to various dietary needs (like vegan and gluten-free) and innovative delivery and ordering technologies to enhance the customer experience. The rise of ghost kitchens and the continued popularity of third-party delivery services are also shaping the industry's landscape.
Pizza Marketplace covered a variety of big and small brands this year. From independents growing through franchising and acquisitions to big chains launching new prototypes, we've covered it all.
Here you'll find a look back at our top five articles in 2024.
1. Uncle Joe's Famous Pizzeria growing through acquisitions
In this article, Editor Mandy Detwiler talked to Scott and Tana Gerber, who bought the Uncle Joe's Famous Pizzeria brand in Hampton Bays, New York in 2023. Instead of growing with new restaurants, the Gerbers are acquiring pizzerias whose operators are looking to retire or get out of the pizza business.
"That is our play, really to maintain the family friendly, family style culture of pizzerias and the quality of a true corner pizzeria — not a franchised pizzeria, but a true pizzaiolo-led franchise with the idea of being able to acquire individuals across New York in the coming years is how we look at our growth plan," Scott Gerber said. "It's not building new venues; it's preserving your local slice shop and bringing the Uncle Joe's brand to your community."
2. Slice House by Tony Gemignani takes top honors at Pizza Marketplace Top 100 Movers & Shakers event
In March, we held our annual Pizza Top 100 Gala at the Las Vegas Country Club. Slice House by Tony Gemignani, led by master pizzaiolo Tony Gemignani, took top honors at the event by placing No. 1 in the Pizza Marketplace's 2024 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list.
Slice House has more than 20 units open and 200 sold or in development.
"Slice House by Tony Gemignani is the epitome of excellence in the franchise industry," said Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace. "The brand's explosive growth is impressive, and Slice House stands out in a sea of local, regional and national chains. I'd love to see a Slice House in my hometown soon!"
The 2025 event will be held March 25. Nominations for the 2025 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list is open until April 10. Click here to nominate your brand.
3. Old Scratch Pizza has 'Midwesternly Neapolitan' philosophy
Old Scratch Pizza, located in Dayton, Ohio, has four locations. Founder Eric Soller calls the brand 'Midwesternly Neapolitan.' The pizza is rooted in Neapolitan tradition but appeals to a midwestern palate.
"I think in the pizza industry, that having freshly prepared food and a diverse menu of freshly prepared items is a differentiator for us," said Eric Soller, founder of Old Scratch Pizza. "We were crazy enough to do it on day one, and now we just have to keep doing it. This is just a part of who we are."
4. Heart-shaped pizzas increase sales in weeks leading up to Valentine's Day
In this article, we took a look at some brands making heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine's Day. Though kitschy, the pizzas are big movers in the weeks leading up to the holiday.
"Happy Joe's Heart-Shaped Pizza becomes our No.1 selling pizza between Feb. 1 and Feb. 14," said Tom Sacco, CEO and chief happiness officer for Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream. "No other pizza overtakes the infamous Taco Pizza at Happy Joe's except the Heart-Shaped Pizza when it's rolled out. It is an incredibly popular pizza with all age groups, across all ethnicities and doesn't matter whether we are in a metro area or a rural community."
5. Marco's Pizza CDO discusses new prototype, brand platform
Marco's Pizza introduced a new store design in the Boise, Idaho market, incorporating data-driven decisions, a modern atmosphere and cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experience. Future plans include expanding the redesign and incorporating advanced tech features throughout their locations nationwide.
We talked to Gerado Flores, CDO for Marco's Pizza, to learn more about the new prototype and why this year was a good time to launch.
"This redesign was inspired by our customers, franchisees, and our vision for the future of the brand," Flores said in a Q&A session. "We are constantly tapping into data and consumer insights to fuel our decisions. That, coupled with the recent launch of our new brand platform, But Wait, There's Marco's, signaled to us that it was the right time to make changes that would have a lasting impact. Like our brand refresh, the new store design is meant to provide convenience to our franchisees and customers, while delivering a modern and warm atmosphere."
About Mandy Wolf Detwiler
Mandy Wolf Detwiler is the managing editor at Networld Media Group and the site editor for PizzaMarketplace.com and QSRweb.com. She has more than 20 years’ experience covering food, people and places.
An award-winning print journalist, Mandy brings more than 20 years’ experience to Networld Media Group. She has spent nearly two decades covering the pizza industry, from independent pizzerias to multi-unit chains and every size business in between. Mandy has been featured on the Food Network and has won numerous awards for her coverage of the restaurant industry. She has an insatiable appetite for learning, and can tell you where to find the best slices in the country after spending 15 years traveling and eating pizza for a living.
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