Peel: A PMQ Pizza Podcast

PMQ Pizza

Every day, pizzeria operators grind to produce great pizza and customer-service experiences for their patrons. This podcast features free-flowing conversations with those operators regarding the trials and tribulations they face both inside and outside of work. The show also features pizza news and deep dives into things like unique pizza styles.

  1. Episode 52: Dave Dombrowski of Pizza Mia

    MAR 20

    Episode 52: Dave Dombrowski of Pizza Mia

    Dave Dombrowski of Pizza Mia joins Peel: A PMQ Pizza Podcast to talk about his roots in the pizza business and the kind of grassroots, boots-on-the-ground marketing that helped him stand out. Dombrowski shares stories about creative promotional tactics, building buzz through unconventional ideas, and connecting with recognizable names before they became famous. Along the way, he offers insight into the hustle, instinct, and relationship-building that can turn local marketing into something memorable.

    49 min
  2. Episode 51: Dan Richer of Razza Pizza Artigianale

    FEB 13

    Episode 51: Dan Richer of Razza Pizza Artigianale

    Dan Richer, owner and operator of Razza Pizza Artigianale in Jersey City, New Jersey, joins the show to talk about his origins as a pizza maker and the details he’s still obsessed with (4:21). Richer talks about his recent and burgeoning love of golf and how the game shares many similarities with pizza making. He later shares how Razza seeks to balance sourcing seasonal, local ingredients with giving guests something they can rely on and expect each time they visit the restaurant. Prior to that, Charlie shares an announcement about the future of the show (0:12).

    52 min
  3. Episode 50 : Giovanni Labbate of Tievoli Pizza Bar

    FEB 2

    Episode 50 : Giovanni Labbate of Tievoli Pizza Bar

    Giovanni Labbate joins the show to talk about his journey from franchise operator to independent owner of Tievoli Pizza, his success on the international pizza competition stage and what it takes to build a standout concept (2:18). The conversation touches on family legacy, food trucks as a growth engine, and why simplicity—on the menu and in operations—can be a competitive advantage. Brian Hernandez joins the show after a new ‘Style Guide’ segment focusing on New England Beach Pizza—does the style have what it takes (28:29)? Story about New England Beach Pizza: https://www.pmq.com/new-england-beach-pizza/ Full U.S. Pizza Team recap: https://uspizzateam.com/carrots-take-the-cake-in-rimini/

    53 min
  4. Episode 49: Jon Bortles of Woody's Wood-Fired Pizza

    JAN 15

    Episode 49: Jon Bortles of Woody's Wood-Fired Pizza

    Woody’s Wood-Fired Pizza owner Jon Bortles explains why he chose not to chase multi-unit expansion after watching what it took for his father to build and manage nine locations (3:50). Bortles breaks down how Woody’s has grown revenue in creative moves inside a single flagship from a high-volume buffet model to a food truck, takeout kitchen and—potentially—selective licensing (37:58). Later in the show, Brian Hernandez joins for a U.S. Pizza Team update. Charlie also asks Brian questions about visiting Italy prior to his first-ever trip to Italy. Woody’s history: https://www.pmq.com/how-this-iconic-high-volume-pizza-buffet-concept-keeps-things-fresh/

    1 hr
  5. Episode 48: Sean Jefairjian of A Slice of New York

    JAN 5

    Episode 48: Sean Jefairjian of A Slice of New York

    In his third appearance on the show, Sean Jefairjian—owner and operator of A Slice of New York in Murrysville, Pennsylvania—breaks down what his shop looks like a year after an 8.2 rating from Dave Portnoy (2:48). He tells all about his appearance at the One Bite Pizza Fest in September, and details a new sourdough ball venture he’s undertaken as he begins to grow as a pizzeria owner outside of his shop. And is Jefairjian one of the first-ever pizza shop owners to be involved in a bona fide medical study? Previous episodes featuring Jefairjian: https://www.pmq.com/what-happens-when-dave-portnoy-shows-up-at-your-pizzeria-we-asked-somebody-who-scored-an-8-2/ https://www.pmq.com/podcast/episode-1-cool-stuff-is-only-cool-until-you-show-your-friends-with-sean-jefairjian/

    48 min
  6. Episode 47: Jamie Cecil of Mellow Mushroom

    12/08/2025

    Episode 47: Jamie Cecil of Mellow Mushroom

    In this episode, Mellow Mushroom’s VP of Franchise Development Jamie Cecil joins the show to talk about how a 50-year-old “stealth franchise” is entering a new era of intentional growth. He shares why the brand’s uniquely local vibe, commissary-driven consistency, and full-service roots still resonate today—and how new formats, technology, and smarter economics are shaping its future. Jamie also opens up about his own restaurant journey, from busboy to franchise leader, and why he believes Mellow’s best chapters are still ahead.

    34 min
  7. Episode 46: Khanh Nguyen of Zalat Pizza

    11/24/2025

    Episode 46: Khanh Nguyen of Zalat Pizza

    Khanh Nguyen, founder and CEO of Zalat Pizza, joins the show as a special guest (2:55). Nguyen shares what it was like to leave a mansion in Vietnam to come live in a dorm room in the U.S. with his family of 11. He also discusses how he got into law, and then restaurants—and why his late-night Vietnamese restaurant unexpectedly became a service-industry hotspot. Nguyen outlines how Zalat came to be and its recent in-house motto: “Made with pride. Shared with joy. Built for a millennium.” Later in the show, Brian Hernandez joins to recap the 4th annual Galbani Professionale Pizza Cup (1:11:47). D Magazine on Nguyen family fleeing Vietnam: https://www.dmagazine.com/publications/d-ceo/2024/march/roots-zalat-pizza-ceo-khanh-nguyen/

    1h 37m
  8. Episode 45: Victoria "Tori" Tiso of Tori T's Pizzeria and 914 Pizza

    11/10/2025

    Episode 45: Victoria "Tori" Tiso of Tori T's Pizzeria and 914 Pizza

    Victoria “Tori” Tiso of Tori T’s Pizzeria (Malverne, NY) and 914 Pizza (Harrison, NY) joins the show as a special guest (2:46). Tiso discusses her early years as a standout softball player and college softball coach and how those experiences affected the way she runs her pizzeria. She also talks about growing up around her father and uncle’s famous shop, Louie & Ernie’s in The Bronx, and how she made her own mark on the shop prior to going off on her own professionally. Later in the show, Brian Hernandez joins for a Style Guide segment focused on Maryland-style pizza (49:00). Further reading on Ledo/Maryland-style pizza: https://www.pmq.com/ledo-pizza-maryland-style/

    1h 17m
See All (53)

4.9
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Every day, pizzeria operators grind to produce great pizza and customer-service experiences for their patrons. This podcast features free-flowing conversations with those operators regarding the trials and tribulations they face both inside and outside of work. The show also features pizza news and deep dives into things like unique pizza styles.

Information

  • Creator
    PMQ Pizza
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    53
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Peel: A PMQ Pizza Podcast

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