The Pizza Game Ain't Fast Food Anymore

Paul Cody, owner of Pie Trap Pizza in Covina, CA, joins the show for a no-filter conversation on leadership, culture, and turning passion into purpose. From sneaking a fryer into a 400 sq ft kitchen to curating a hip-hop-inspired menu with explosive pies, Paul shares how he built a loyal fanbase by keeping it real and putting quality first. We talk team dynamics, rising food costs, TikTok-fueled growth, and why systems—not vibes—set you free. If you're a pizzeria operator or future owner, you’ll want to take notes. 🎧 Topics covered: Naming Pie Trap and building brand culture from scratch Running a tight kitchen with high standards and low ego Square pies, scarcity, and strategy Handling haters, bad days, and Yelp reviews The importance of leadership evolution and letting go Real lessons in team building, hiring, and expansion 📍 Location: Covina, California Follow Them On IG: https://www.instagram.com/pietrappizza Learn More By Visiting ThrivePOS.com/PizzaKing Scale Your Shop Without Burnout A free video training for serious pizza operators. Free New Store Opening Checklist New Pizzeria? Free Store Opening Checklist! Ace Your Launch Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Want to connect? Send me an email to info@tyrellreed.com