What’s up, Pizza Fam!

This episode’s a little different—I took it all the way back to the beginning. Why? Because the question keeps coming up: “T, how’d you get started in this pizza game?” And with so many new listeners joining the family, I figured now’s the perfect time to tell the real story—my origin story.

Let me be clear: I shouldn’t be here. I should’ve been fired. I should’ve been broke for good. I should’ve quit. But I didn’t. And every mistake I made—every one of ‘em—shaped me into the leader, operator, and coach I am today.

From my first job at Little Caesars in Lansing, Michigan—where I left the safe wide open and cash on the counter (yeah, seriously)—to smoking weed in the kitchen at my first Westshore Pizza gig (what was I thinking?!), to completely burning out and losing a store I loved during COVID… it’s been a journey. But every failure taught me something that stuck.

Here are the BIGGEST lessons I shared in this episode:

1. Take what you do seriously. The Little Caesars write-ups? Man, I still keep those papers as a reminder.

2. Maturity matters. That “smoke session” could’ve ended my career before it started. Thank God for second chances.

3. Ask for help. My first store in Lakeland tanked—because I didn’t ask for support when I needed it most.

4. Build a team. You cannot do this alone. I tried. I failed. Then I learned to lead the right way.

5. Relationships will save you. Straight up—if it weren’t for mentors like Bob, I don’t know where I’d be.

Now I run a successful store with a killer team. I coach operators on how to avoid the mistakes I made. And I’m here to help YOU lead better, grow faster, and stay in the game longer.

So if you’re feeling like you’ve made too many mistakes or missed your shot—trust me, you haven’t. You can bounce back. I’m living proof.

Thanks for tuning in, Pizza Fam. Hit me up at info@tyrellreed.com or come be a guest on the show. I’d love to hear your story.

In this episode of The Pizza King Podcast, Tyrell Reed sits down with the energetic and inspiring Joey Karvelas, co-founder of Karvelas Pizza Company. Joey shares the story of how he turned a $19,000 investment into a growing pizza empire across Georgia.

From humble beginnings in a run-down pizza shop to running six locations and planning more, Joey’s story is packed with hard-earned wisdom, personal growth, and real-life lessons for any aspiring pizzeria owner. They talk team building, menu development, delivery strategy, the power of community involvement, and even the role of faith and sobriety in Joey’s success.

This episode is a masterclass in what it really takes to build something from the ground up in the restaurant world.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• How Joey turned his dad’s old pizza shop into a multi-store brand

• Why working hard is your resume (even before you have one)

• How quitting alcohol and trusting God became his secret weapon

• What happens when you open 7 days a week in a better location (hint: triple the sales!)

• How they expanded down the I-85 corridor—on purpose or by accident?

• Joey’s formula for high lunch sales and his 11,000 orders/month chicken bites

• Why second-gen spaces aren’t always the “deal” they seem to be

• Delivery, catering, AI tools, and other smart pivots in the business

• Why “Go Do” is his best advice for new operators

🎵 The Karvelas Pizza Co. Theme Song?

"Turn Down for What" – Lil Jon
Because Joey and the team go hard, every day. No chill. No excuses.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• 🍕 Karvelas Pizza Co. Website

• 📷 Follow Karvelas Pizza on Instagram

In this episode, I’m giving you my full recap of the 2025 Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. From my 4 a.m. flight out of Tampa to the non-stop action on the show floor, this trip was packed with energy, connection, and plenty of pizza talk.

I share what stood out to me the most—from reconnecting with pizza friends to seeing the latest in equipment and tech. I dive into the topic of automation in our industry—some of it I’m here for (hello, dough rollers), and some of it I’m not sure about. You’ll hear my take on where I think things are headed.

I also shout out some of the coolest things I saw (custom pizza peel magnets are now on my radar), talk about my favorite part of the expo (the competitions!), and share how inspired I felt watching pizza makers from all over the world go head to head. I’m even thinking about throwing my team into the mix next year.

And of course, I didn’t do much gambling (just $20 in a slot machine and called it good).

If you missed the expo, I hope this gives you a little taste of what it was like. And if you were there, hopefully we crossed paths! Let’s catch up again soon.