Pizza Today - April 2022 - 43

" The flow of the river is ceaseless;
and its water is never the same. "
- Kamo no Chomei, 1212 AD
By John Gutekanst
A
Photo Josh Keown
ll of us in the independent
restaurant
world are in constant
motion. We put our heads down
day after day with hundreds of
tasks of owning a restaurant.
Sometimes, just getting through
a day or week hunkered down as
food and labor costs soar, is quite
daunting. You'd think that the
last thing on our minds would be
to introduce a new pizza or slice.
But to those of us surrounded
by competitors, the opportunity
to introduce a new pizza is what
sets us aside from the bland
corporate places and, is the most
exciting part of this job. It's what
our loyal customers deserve and
expect. Floating down this river
of innovation starts with a spark
- something that you know will
bring new customers into your
pizzeria and have loyal customers
adding this pizza to their orders.
It also takes a plan.
Meal Plan
" You gotta be careful if you don't
know where you are going, because
you might not get there. "
-Yogi Berra
Several aspects of introducing
a new pizza or slice can be
broken down to some core questions.
What
is the food cost? Using
your existing products is better
for food cost and alleviates
internal confusion, (i.e., delivery/
storage/refrigeration.) Manipulating
the existing toppings with
a sauce/powder/technique/cheese
can create new and exciting food
profiles. You also can negotiate
a better price on a new product
with your food salesperson. If
you don't try, you won't save.
What is the labor cost? You
know your prep staff better than
anyone. If they are flexible and
excited to fabricate a dough, food
or topping, then you must think
how long it will take them to do
this extra work and what it will
cost you. Pre-prepared sauces,
spices, frozen foods or smoked
meats may save you.
What do my customers expect
from me? Have you marketed
your pizzeria as a cutting-edge
place that has funky toppings
and innovative specialties or is
your place more traditionalist?
This may lead you to keep your
new specialty pizza and slices
more in line with either marketing
lane you are in. Remember,
even traditions evolve. The first
pizzeria opened in 1830, and it
wasn't until 1889 that Raphael
Esposito created the classic mozzarella,
tomato and basil pizza.
What is the timeline for this
pizza, or slice? This is important
because it keeps YOU and your
staff in a lane to get serious about
this project. Making a written
plan to introduce this is optimal,
and scheduling certain specialty
dates on a visual calendar is a
great idea. This can be posted on
social media and as box toppers.
What will be my communication
and marketing: Posters
around your pizzeria, including
recipes at the makeline, prep area
APRIL 2022 / PIZZATODAY.COM / 43

http://www.PIZZATODAY.COM

Pizza Today - April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pizza Today - April 2022

Commentary
Digital
Conversation
Mike's Monthly Tip
Man on the Street
Building Blocks
Tony's Trending Recipes
Knead to Know
Destinations
The Right Menu Price
Menu Design
Cash Flow
Killer Red Sauce Recipes
The Secret to a Red Sauce
Ravioli Primer
Pizza Specials
On the Road: St. Angelo's Pizza, Atlanta, GA
Product Showcase
Pizza Today Yellow Pages
The Marketplace
Expo Spotlight
Pizza Today - April 2022 - CT1
Pizza Today - April 2022 - CT2
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Cover1
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Cover2
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Commentary
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 4
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 5
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 6
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 7
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Digital
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 9
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Conversation
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 11
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Mike's Monthly Tip
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 13
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Man on the Street
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 15
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Building Blocks
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 17
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Tony's Trending Recipes
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 19
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Knead to Know
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 21
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 22
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 23
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Destinations
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 25
Pizza Today - April 2022 - The Right Menu Price
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 27
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 28
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 29
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Menu Design
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 31
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 32
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 33
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Cash Flow
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 35
Pizza Today - April 2022 - The Secret to a Red Sauce
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 37
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Ravioli Primer
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 39
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 40
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 41
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Pizza Specials
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 43
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 44
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 45
Pizza Today - April 2022 - On the Road: St. Angelo's Pizza, Atlanta, GA
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 47
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 48
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 49
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Product Showcase
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 51
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Pizza Today Yellow Pages
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 53
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 54
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 55
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 56
Pizza Today - April 2022 - The Marketplace
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 58
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 59
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 60
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 61
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 62
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 63
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 64
Pizza Today - April 2022 - 65
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Expo Spotlight
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Cover3
Pizza Today - April 2022 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202502
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202501
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202412
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202411
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202410
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202409
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202408
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202407
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202406
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202405
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202404
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202403
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202402
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202401
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202312
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202311
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202310
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202309
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202308
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202307
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202306
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202305
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202304
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202303
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202302
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202301
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202212
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202211
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202210
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202209
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202208
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202207
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202206
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202205
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202204
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202203
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202202
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202201
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202112
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202111
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202110
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202109
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202108
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202107
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202106
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202105
https://www.nxtbook.com/emerald/pizzatoday/202104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/expo_2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/202001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201807
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201806
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201805
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201804
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201803
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201802
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201801
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201712
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201711
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201710
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201709
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201707
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201706
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201705
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201704
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201703
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201702
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201701
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201612
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201611
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201610
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201609
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201608
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201606
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201605
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201604
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201603
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201602
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201601
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201512
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201511
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201510
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201509
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201508
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pizzatoday/201507
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com