On this episode of The Pizza King Podcast, I sit down with Elliott Ramsdell, the mastermind behind the rapid rise of Todd’s Curry Sauce. We dive into his journey from running a digital agency to launching a game-changing sauce brand and how he’s disrupting the food industry one bottle at a time.

Elliott shares how he went from branding and marketing to rolling up his sleeves and scaling a sauce business with a unique vision: getting Todd’s Curry Sauce into as many mouths as possible. We talk about the power of relationships in business, how great products spread through word-of-mouth, and why loyalty—both in customers and in partnerships—drives long-term success.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• How Elliott transitioned from digital marketing to food service and CPG.

• The importance of building a brand through storytelling and personal connections.

• Creative ways pizzerias can add new revenue streams through sauces, merch, and loyalty programs.

• How Todd’s Curry Sauce is shaking up the foodservice industry and landing in major restaurant chains.

• Why personalization and direct customer relationships are key to growing a product-driven business.

Plus, we swap some killer pizza topping ideas using Todd’s Curry Sauce (trust me, you’ll want to try this). If you're a restaurant owner, marketer, or just love hearing about innovative food brands, this episode is packed with gems!

👉 Tune in and hear why this sauce is making waves—and how you can get your hands on some!

Ready to open your first pizza business?

Get my FREE New Store Checklist

go.tyrellreed.com/free

Todd's Curry Sauce - Enjoy 10% Off All Orders using code: PIZZAKING

www.toddscurrysauce.com

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

www.baggenie.net

Hey Pizza Fam! This week, I’m diving into some of the most common questions I’ve been getting from all of you about opening a pizzeria. We’re talking about startup costs, picking the right location, and negotiating lease terms – all the stuff that sets you up for success before you ever make your first pizza.

I also share one of the funniest (and most frustrating) stories I’ve had in a while involving a customer who had some... creative ideas about what “mild sauce” means. It’s a good reminder of how we adapt and improve our processes to keep things running smoothly.

Here’s What I Cover in This Episode:

• My go-to strategies for breaking down startup costs and budgeting effectively.

• Why second-gen restaurant spaces are my first choice and how they save big money.

• How I use my breakeven tool to evaluate potential locations.

• Tips on negotiating lease terms, including the importance of asking for tenant improvements and free rent months.

• Real-life lessons from customer interactions and how to handle tricky situations with grace.

A Funny (and Frustrating) Story: You won’t want to miss this one! I talk about a customer who thought mild wing sauce was pizza sauce (yes, really). I’ll let you decide who was in the wrong here, but it inspired me to make some simple adjustments to avoid future confusion.

Resources I Mentioned:

• My Idea to Open Guide: Everything you need to plan and open your pizzeria for just $27.

• Free New Store Opening Checklist: Download this checklist to make sure you’ve got everything covered.

• The Breakeven Tool: My favorite spreadsheet for quickly assessing whether a location is worth pursuing.

Let’s Connect: I love hearing from you! Keep sending your questions on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. If you’re not subscribed to my YouTube channel yet, check it out – we’re building a great community over there. Got a question or want to share your thoughts on today’s episode? Email me at info@tyrellreed.com.

What’s Coming Up: Next month is going to be packed with value! I’ve got four amazing guests lined up to share their expertise and stories. Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

Thanks for tuning in, Pizza Fam. See you next week!

Ready to open your first pizza business? Get my FREE New Store Checklist

go.tyrellreed.com/free

Todd's Curry Sauce - Enjoy 10% Off All Orders using code: PIZZAKING

www.toddscurrysauce.com

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

www.baggenie.net

This week, I took the podcast on the road and recorded live from West Shore Pizza Kingsway. It’s not something I usually do, but with so much happening right now, I wanted to share my thoughts, advice, and support directly from the heart of our business. Here’s what I talked about:

• Standing with Los Angeles: My heart goes out to everyone in Los Angeles dealing with the aftermath of the wildfires. I’ve reached out to friends, family, and pizza folks in the area, and while it’s a relief to know they’re safe, I recognize how much rebuilding lies ahead. Organizations like Slice Out Hunger are stepping up, and I encourage all of us in the pizza community to help however we can.

• The Role of Pizzerias in Tough Times: Whether it’s wildfires in California or unexpected snowstorms in the South, disruptions shake up people’s routines. As pizzeria operators, we have the unique ability to offer a small slice of normalcy—a hot meal and a familiar place. Shoutout to the pizza makers and first responders out there working hard to keep things going.

• Taking Your Pizzeria to the Next Level: If you’ve been in business for a few years and are ready to grow, congrats—you’re already ahead of 60% of restaurants that don’t make it past year one. I shared practical tips on tightening operations, building strong teams, and developing marketing strategies that actually work. Spoiler: it all starts with rock-solid operations.

• Developing Future Leaders: One of my favorite topics—helping team members grow into leaders. I shared how investing time and patience into your managers can pay off big, using my favorite metaphor: growing asparagus. It’s a two-year process that leads to 20 years of productivity, but you have to put in the work upfront.

Resources I Mentioned:

• Download my free New Pizzeria Opening Checklist: go.tyrellreed.com/free

• Learn more about Slice Out Hunger’s wildfire relief efforts.

• If you’re serious about growing your business, check out my 12-week coaching program for pizzeria operators.

Shoutouts:

• To the communities in Los Angeles and the South navigating these tough times—we’re with you.

• To first responders and pizza makers giving back every day.

• To our sponsors, Todd’s Curry Sauce, Bag Genie Pizza Bags, and of course, TyrellReed.com.

Let’s Connect: If you have questions or want to learn more about the tools and resources I’ve mentioned, visit TyrellReed.com. I’d love to hear from you.