Episode 41: Jim Henry and Jim Mirabelli of Virtual Pizza Academy
Jim Mirabelli, founder of NEPA Pizza Review, and Jim Henry—better known online as “Jimmy Hank” or “The Frico King”—join the show to talk about their unlikely journeys into the pizza world and how they teamed up to create the Virtual Pizza Academy (2:29). They discuss their partnership, their complementary teaching styles, what sets their online classes apart and why authenticity resonates so strongly with their audience—and how they bring it to the table.
Jim Mirabelli cover story: https://www.pmq.com/jim-mirabelli/
Peel, episode 9, featuring Jim Mirabelli: https://soundcloud.com/pmqpizzapodcast/episode-9-jim-mirabelli-of-nepa-pizza-review
--------
49:51
--------
49:51
Episode 40: Joe Ledwidge of Ranger Joe's Pizza
Joe Ledwidge, owner and operator of Ranger Joe’s Pizza in Kalispell, Montana, talks about a childhood at his parents pizzeria in Florida and his second act as a shop owner himself (2:33). Ledwidge shares the story behind the potent brand that is Ranger Joe’s and how it led to a beloved—and growing—local brand with franchising potential. He also talks about opening the brand’s second shop in Columbia Falls, MT.
Ranger Joe’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rangerjoespizza/
--------
46:09
--------
46:09
Episode 39: Frank Kabatas of East Village Pizza
What does it take to run a pizzeria in one of the most competitive food cities in the world—and keep it thriving for more than two decades? In this episode, East Village Pizza co-owner Frank Kabatas discusses the realities of operating a popular shop in New York City, from middle-of-the-night equipment breakdowns to the unspoken rule that your doors must (almost) always be open (3:23). Frank shares the story behind his viral menu creations (including a gold-flaked pie), how he built a social media following of 1.7 million and the moment a “One Bite” review changed his business forever. Along the way, he offers hard-earned advice for pizzeria operators, including why he believes owners should run their own social media and why continuous improvement—not claiming to be “the best”—is the secret to longevity.
Story about Kabatas’s background: https://www.pmq.com/how-a-turkish-immigrant-turned-a-neighborhood-shop-into-an-nyc-powerhouse/
Pizza Power Forum: www.pizzapowerforum.com
--------
45:04
--------
45:04
Episode 38: Erica D'Arcangelo of A Story About Pizza
Erica D’Arcangelo, author of A Story About Pizza, joins the show to share how reconnecting with her family's Pennsylvania pizzeria reignited her passion for marketing (3:11). She tells the story of her grandfather’s journey from Italian immigrant and coal miner to founder of D'Arc's Pizza in Windber, PA, and how her father carried on the family’s proud pizza tradition. Erica shares how posting simple pizza-cutting videos led to millions of views, quadrupled business and inspired a children’s book, a podcast and a growing pizza media platform. She also discusses the marketing tools every pizzeria should use, why storytelling builds loyalty and her dream of going full-time in the pizza world. Later, Brian Hernandez joins the show to talk about Old Forge-style pizza and Pennsylvania’s deep bench of niche regional styles (40:56).
A Story About Pizza website: https://www.astoryaboutpizza.com/
Pizza Story Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@AStoryAboutPizza
--------
1:08:07
--------
1:08:07
Episode 37: Tony Gemignani of Tony's Pizza Napoletana and Slice House
Tony Gemignani, founder of Tony’s Pizza Napoletana and Slice House, joins the show to share how he navigated the leap from independent operator to national franchisor (2:37). He discusses the challenges of maintaining consistency across locations, building infrastructure and maintaining quality while scaling fast. Gemignani also reflects on lessons from failure, the power of relationships with suppliers and why patience—and the right partners—are essential to sustainable growth. Brian Hernandez later joins the show to give an update on the U.S. Pizza Team and its numerous upcoming competitions.
Pizza Power Forum: www.pizzapowerforum.com
California Pizza Challenge: www.uspizzateam.com/cpc25
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.
Ireland