Starting Strong: Mastering Startup Costs, Location Selection, and Lease Negotiation

Pizza King Podcast

Hey Pizza Fam! This week, I’m diving into some of the most common questions I’ve been getting from all of you about opening a pizzeria. We’re talking about startup costs, picking the right location, and negotiating lease terms – all the stuff that sets you up for success before you ever make your first pizza.

I also share one of the funniest (and most frustrating) stories I’ve had in a while involving a customer who had some... creative ideas about what “mild sauce” means. It’s a good reminder of how we adapt and improve our processes to keep things running smoothly.

Here’s What I Cover in This Episode:

• My go-to strategies for breaking down startup costs and budgeting effectively.

• Why second-gen restaurant spaces are my first choice and how they save big money.

• How I use my breakeven tool to evaluate potential locations.

• Tips on negotiating lease terms, including the importance of asking for tenant improvements and free rent months.

• Real-life lessons from customer interactions and how to handle tricky situations with grace.

A Funny (and Frustrating) Story: You won’t want to miss this one! I talk about a customer who thought mild wing sauce was pizza sauce (yes, really). I’ll let you decide who was in the wrong here, but it inspired me to make some simple adjustments to avoid future confusion.

Resources I Mentioned:

• My Idea to Open Guide: Everything you need to plan and open your pizzeria for just $27.

• Free New Store Opening Checklist: Download this checklist to make sure you’ve got everything covered.

• The Breakeven Tool: My favorite spreadsheet for quickly assessing whether a location is worth pursuing.

Let’s Connect: I love hearing from you! Keep sending your questions on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. If you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channel yet, check it out – we’re building a great community over there. Got a question or want to share your thoughts on today’s episode? Email me at [e-mail].

What’s Coming Up: Next month is going to be packed with value! I’ve got four amazing guests lined up to share their expertise and stories. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

Thanks for tuning in, Pizza Fam. See you next week!

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