What does it take to run a successful slice shop that keeps customers coming back, while navigating the everyday business struggles?

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Lars Smith, a seasoned pizza entrepreneur with over 23 years of experience in the industry. After returning from a trip to Brooklyn with his wife, Lars dove into opening up a slice shop concept. Here, he share best practices, lessons learned, and the keys to creating a thriving, customer-driven pizza business. If you’re thinking about starting your own slice shop or just want to learn more about the pizza business, make sure to follow Lars’ journey and take note of the tips he shares.

Highlights:

• Lars shares what makes a great location for a slice shop, including foot traffic, neighborhood vibe, and accessibility.

• Building loyalty is essential in a slice shop. Lars discusses how customer engagement keeps people coming back, from personalized service to creating a welcoming environment. He opens up about the day-to-day challenges of managing a busy slice shop and keeping the quality consistent.

• Figuring out which pizzas to sell at the right time is a mix of experimentation and data collection. Lars shares how he uses trial and error, time-of-day analysis, and sales data to minimize food waste.

• We get a look at how Lars' pizza is made, with a sneak peek into his process of creating the perfect slice.

• Whether you’re opening your first shop or expanding, Lars explains why having a solid business plan and understanding the “flow” of your restaurant is crucial for long-term success.

Check out State of Mind here:

https://www.stateofmindpublichouse.com/

https://www.stateofmindslicehouse.com/

Follow State of Mind here:

https://www.instagram.com/stateofmindpub

https://www.instagram.com/stateofmindslicehouse/

Follow Lars Smith here:

https://www.instagram.com/lboogiesmith/?hl=en

Thank you to our show sponsors:

Corto Olive Oil:

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1808352&u=2800064&m=112748&urllink=&afftrack=

Ooni Pizza:

http://ooni.com/?sscid=51k7_g9gpn&utm_medium=shareasale&utm_source=2800064&utm_campaign=1232202

Bacio Cheese:

https://www.baciocheese.com/?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Podcast_Social_Web&utm_campaign=Whats_Good_Dough&utm_content=Bacio

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Topics:

Pizzeria

Community

Slice Shop

State of Mind

Lars Smith

Business Plan