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/
Thank you to our show sponsors:
Corto Olive Oil:
https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1808352&u=2800064&m=112748&urllink=&afftrack=
Ooni Pizza:
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=77074&awinaffid=1800006&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ooni.com
Bacio Cheese:
https://www.baciocheese.com/?utm_source=Influencer&utm_medium=Podcast_Social_Web&utm_campaign=Whats_Good_Dough&utm_content=Bacio
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Camera 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
