Pizza Is My Life
Feb. 16, 2025

He Opened A Pizzeria In 2024— Here’s What Went Wrong w/ Dane of Slow Co Pizza

He Opened A Pizzeria In 2024— Here’s What Went Wrong w/ Dane of Slow Co Pizza

Would you spend $60,000 just to install an oven? That’s the dilemma Dane from Slow Co Pizza faced when opening his pizzeria. The hidden costs of launching a restaurant can be brutal—so how did he pivot and still make his dream a reality?

In this episode, we sit down with Dane from Slow Co Pizza, who turned his 13-year pizza obsession into reality in November 2024. But it wasn’t easy. From shocking equipment costs to frustrating contractor delays, Dane shares the real, behind-the-scenes struggles of opening a pizzeria—and the rewarding moment it was all worth it.

Highlights:

  • 00:01:32:15 - 00:02:42:17 - The $60,000 Oven Dilemma:Dane originally planned to install a PizzaMaster oven but discovered upgrading his electrical system would cost $60,000.

  • 00:04:27:09 - 00:05:14:23 - The Reality of Restaurant Build-Outs:  Dane shares Unexpected challenges with permits, space limitations, and city regulations— the hidden costs of construction and why every small change adds up.

  •  00:05:14:23 - 00:08:39:23 - Contractor Struggles & Delays:Dane hired a contractor based on a recommendation but later realized communication was a huge issue.

  • 00:06:12:23 - 00:07:55:17 - The Walk-In Fridge Challenge:The previous owners had an unpermitted walk-in fridge that had to be removed.

  • 00:08:39:23 - 00:09:43:14 - Advice for Aspiring Pizzeria Owners:Understand that time delays are inevitable—build extra time into your plan. Be flexible and prepared for unexpected costs.


  • Check out Slow Co  here:

    https://www.slowcopizza.com/ 

    https://www.instagram.com/slowcopizza/ 


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    email me:eidref@whatsgooddough.comCamera and Audio Provided by Tristan Marr and Alexia Refil

    Topics:

    pizzeria opening challenges

    restaurant build-out costs

    $60,000 oven dilemma

    Slow Co Pizza

    Dane from Slow Co Pizza

    restaurant equipment costs

    pizza oven installation

    restaurant contractor struggles

    restaurant construction delays

    hidden costs of opening a restaurant

    pizzeria owner advice

    restaurant space limitations

    unpermitted walk-in fridge

    City regulations for restaurants

    pizza restaurant startup challenges

    starting a pizzeria business

    aspiring pizzeria owner's tips

    restaurant permitting issues

    restaurant electrical upgrades

    pizza restaurant equipment