How Pizza Magnets Took Over the Internet (with Todd from Popp’s Trophies)

What started as a small-town trophy shop turned into one of the pizza industry’s most viral success stories. In this episode, I chop it up with Todd from Popp’s Trophies—creator of the famous pizza peel magnets.

We talk about his wild leap from landscaping to laser engraving, how a Wu-Tang slice blew up on Instagram, and why investing in yourself always pays off.

Whether you're running a pizzeria, building a brand, or just love a good origin story—this one’s for you.

Want Your Own Custom Pizza Peel Magnet?

Whether you’re repping your shop, building out some cool merch, or just want to see your signature pie turned into fridge art—Todd’s your guy.

👉 Visit www.poppstrophies.com to upload your photo and customize your peel
📸 Got a perfect shot of your pizza? Use the Pizza Submission Form on the homepage
📲 Follow Todd on Instagram @poppstrophies to see the latest designs and viral videos
📦 Bulk orders? Special requests? Just hit the contact form on his site or slide into the DMs—he’s super hands-on and quick to respond.

Trust me, it’s one of the coolest and most creative ways to showcase your brand. And your customers will love it.

Thank you to our sponsors and affiliates!

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www.toddscurrysauce.com

Bag Genie Pizza Bags - Buy and 4 bags and get a 5th bag for free using Code: PIZZAKING

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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