Customer Service / Experience Features

Derby City Pizza Co. ready to break out of the gates in Louisville

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Derby City Pizza Co. in Louisville, Kentucky, has seven stores and is readying for more. Could franchising be in the future? Owner Larry Davis says perhaps, if…

read now

Mountain Mike's Pizza proves size matters with big pizzas, operations

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

California based Mountain Mike's has more than 260 stores and is expanding throughout the U.S. The brand is known for its oversized pizzas and plentiful…

read now

Pizzeria Uno's hotel conversion program brings in hotel guests, locals

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Chicago-based Pizzeria Uno has begun a hotel conversion program that brings in both hotel guests and locals. It gives Uno more recognition and brings that…

read now

Brew pub, pizzeria finds ready workforce in people with disabilities

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Brewability is a Colorado brew pub and pizzeria. What set the pizzeria apart from others in the industry is its employees: Brewability hires those with…

read now

Organ Stop Pizza one of last 'pizza and pipes' concepts

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In the 1970s and 80s, pizza and pipe organ restaurants were popular. Now there are only two left in the U.S. and Organ Stop Pizza has a mighty organ that's…

read now

Happy Joe's ready for growth, focuses on product over price

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice Cream has become a Midwestern mainstay with a wide variety of pizzas. The brand has more than 30 units in the pipeline.

read now

Brothers bring taste of Detroit to Austin, Texas

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Can Detroit-style pizza work in Austin, Texas? Yes, say the owners of Via 313, which has eight units in the Austin area.

read now

Toppers Pizza leaders' epic road trip is all about gathering insight

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Scott Gittrich and his wife, Robin, are on a trip to visit all 71 stores in the Toppers Pizza franchise. Along the way they're holding town halls and meeting…

read now

Chipotle, Rally’s, Noodles & Company execs talk increasing drive-thru experience

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Drive-thru innovation and the customer experience was the focus of a panel discussion at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit held this month in…

read now

Coal-fired ovens, strong customer focus drive Grimaldi's franchise strategy

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Grimaldi's is capitalizing on a century-old baking style utilizing coal-fired ovens and now, with operations all in place, the company is embracing franchising.

read now

Examining alternatives to raising menu prices

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In the second part of a two-part series on raising prices, we examine how much is too much and potential alternatives to increasing prices.

read now

How to determine when it's time to boost menu prices

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

In part one of a two-part series, we take a look at making the decision to raise prices and how to do so without losing the customer base.

read now

There's nothing to hide at this North Carolina pizzeria

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

This pizzeria has no freezers or walls, and everything is made in-house. See how Aliño Pizzeria is thriving with a simple concept that still wows.

read now

Russo’s New York Pizzeria and Italian Kitchen's experience, craftsmanship make it stand out

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Russo's New York Pizzeria and Italian Kitchen has 54 units backed by a long history of experience and craftsmanship. After a rebrand, the company is poised for…

read now

Smokin’ Oak Wood Fired Pizza & Taproom pairs 2 perennial favorites

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

What goes better with pizza than beer? At Smokin' Oak Wood-Fired Pizza and Taproom, guests can enjoy both with a self-serve taproom designed to give guests a…

read now

Romeo's Pizza operating system, pillars make it unique in industry

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Romeo's Pizza is on a hot streak right now. With sales up 26%, and a rewards program that boasts a 300% growth last year, the Ohio-based brand is ready for the…

read now

Marco's big growth strategy not just about pizza

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Marco's Pizza has more than 1,000 units with plans to grow to 1,500 by 2023. Its strategy isn't just about great pizza.

read now

Mici Italian has big plans for 2022

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Mici Italian has seven units in the Denver area. The company is poised for growth and has plans to double its size in 2022.

read now

Curry Pizza House blends Indian culture with Italian fare

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Curry Pizza House is manned by first-generation Indian Americans. The California-based company has expanded outside the Bay area now with 12 units and is…

read now

Pandemic isn't slowing down Zalat Pizza’s growth

by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Connect Media

Zalat Pizza just opened its first store outside the Dallas-Ft .Worth market, marking its seventeenth store in total. Eight more units are planned, and the…

read now