Weathering The Storms: Supporting Communities Through Challenges

This week, I took the podcast on the road and recorded live from West Shore Pizza Kingsway. It’s not something I usually do, but with so much happening right now, I wanted to share my thoughts, advice, and support directly from the heart of our business. Here’s what I talked about:

• Standing with Los Angeles: My heart goes out to everyone in Los Angeles dealing with the aftermath of the wildfires. I’ve reached out to friends, family, and pizza folks in the area, and while it’s a relief to know they’re safe, I recognize how much rebuilding lies ahead. Organizations like Slice Out Hunger are stepping up, and I encourage all of us in the pizza community to help however we can.

• The Role of Pizzerias in Tough Times: Whether it’s wildfires in California or unexpected snowstorms in the South, disruptions shake up people’s routines. As pizzeria operators, we have the unique ability to offer a small slice of normalcy—a hot meal and a familiar place. Shoutout to the pizza makers and first responders out there working hard to keep things going.

• Taking Your Pizzeria to the Next Level: If you’ve been in business for a few years and are ready to grow, congrats—you’re already ahead of 60% of restaurants that don’t make it past year one. I shared practical tips on tightening operations, building strong teams, and developing marketing strategies that actually work. Spoiler: it all starts with rock-solid operations.

• Developing Future Leaders: One of my favorite topics—helping team members grow into leaders. I shared how investing time and patience into your managers can pay off big, using my favorite metaphor: growing asparagus. It’s a two-year process that leads to 20 years of productivity, but you have to put in the work upfront.

Resources I Mentioned:

• Download my free New Pizzeria Opening Checklist: go.tyrellreed.com/free

• Learn more about Slice Out Hunger’s wildfire relief efforts.

• If you’re serious about growing your business, check out my 12-week coaching program for pizzeria operators.

Shoutouts:

• To the communities in Los Angeles and the South navigating these tough times—we’re with you.

• To first responders and pizza makers giving back every day.

• To our sponsors, Todd’s Curry Sauce, Bag Genie Pizza Bags, and of course, TyrellReed.com.

Let’s Connect: If you have questions or want to learn more about the tools and resources I’ve mentioned, visit TyrellReed.com. I’d love to hear from you.