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Fast Company
11-07-2025
- General
- Fast Company
Small pizzerias still stand out against chain restaurants. Here's why
At its heart, pizza is deceptively simple. Made from just a few humble ingredients—baked dough, tangy sauce, melted cheese, and maybe a few toppings—it might seem like a perfect candidate for the kind of mass-produced standardization that defines many global food chains, where predictable menus reign supreme. Yet, visit two pizzerias in different towns, or even on different blocks of the same town, and you'll find that pizza stubbornly refuses to be homogenized. We are researchers working on a local business history project that documents the commercial landscape of Gainesville, Florida, in the 20th and 21st centuries. As part of that project, we've spent a great many hours over the past two years interviewing local restaurant owners, especially those behind Gainesville's independent pizzerias. What we've found reaffirms a powerful truth: Pizza resists sameness—and small pizzerias are a big reason why. Why standardized pizza rose but didn't conquer While tomatoes were unknown in Italy until the mid-16th century, they have since become synonymous with Italian cuisine—especially through pizza. Pizza arrived in the U.S. from Naples in the early 20th century, when Italian immigration was at its peak. Two of the biggest destinations for Italian immigrants were New York City and Chicago, and today each has a distinctive pizza style. A New York slice can easily be identified by its thin, soft, foldable crust, while Chicago pies are known for deep, thick, buttery crusts. After World War II, other regions developed their own types of pizza, including the famed New Haven and Detroit styles. The New Haven style is known for being thin, crispy, and charred in a coal-fired oven, while the Detroit style has a rectangular, deep-dish shape and thick, buttery crust. By the latter half of the 20th century, pizza had become a staple of the American diet. And as its popularity grew, so did demand for consistent, affordable pizza joints. Chains such as Pizza Hut, founded in 1958, and Papa John's, established in 1984, applied the model pioneered by McDonald's in the late 1940s, adopting limited menus, assembly line kitchens, and franchise models built for consistency and scale. New technologies such as point-of-sale systems and inventory management software made things even more efficient. As food historian Carol Helstosky explains in Pizza: A Global History, the transformation involved simplifying recipes, ensuring consistent quality, and developing formats optimized for rapid expansion and franchising. What began as a handcrafted, regional dish became a highly replicable product suited to global mass markets. Today, more than 20,000 Pizza Huts operate worldwide. Papa John's, which runs about 6,000 pizzerias, built its brand explicitly on a promise rooted in standardization. In this model, success means making pizza the same way, everywhere, every time. So what happened to the independent pizzerias? Did they get swallowed up by efficiency? Not quite. Chain restaurants don't necessarily suffocate small competitors, recent research shows. In fact, in the case of pizza, they often coexist, sometimes even fueling creativity and opportunity. Independent pizzerias—there are more than 44,000 nationwide—lean into what makes them unique, carving out a niche. Rather than focusing only on speed or price, they compete by offering character, inventive toppings, personal service, and a sense of place that chains just can't replicate. A local pizza scene: Creativity in a corporate age For an example, look no farther than Gainesville. A college town with fewer than 150,000 residents, Gainesville doesn't have the same culinary cachet as New York or Chicago, but it has developed a unique pizza scene. With 13 independent pizzerias serving Neapolitan, Detroit, New York, Mediterranean styles, and more, hungry Gators have a plethora of options when craving a slice. What makes Gainesville's pizza scene especially interesting is the range of backgrounds its proprietors have. Through interviews with pizzeria owners, we found that some had started as artists and musicians, while others had worked in engineering or education—and each had their own unique approach to making pizzas. The owner of Strega Nona's Oven, for example, uses his engineering background to turn dough-making into a science, altering the proportions of ingredients by as little as half of a percent based on the season or even the weather. Satchel's Pizza, on the other hand, is filled with works made by its artist owner, including mosaic windows, paintings, sculptures, and fountains. Gainesville's independent pizzerias often serve as what sociologists call ' third places '—spaces for gathering that aren't home or work. And their owners think carefully about how to create a welcoming environment. For example, the owner of Scuola Pizza insisted the restaurant be free of TVs, so diners can focus on their food. Squarehouse Pizza features a large outdoor space: an old, now repurposed school bus outfitted with tables and chairs to dine in, and a stage for live music. Squarehouse also is known for its unusual toppings on square, Detroit-style pies—for example, the Mariah Curry, topped with curry chicken or cauliflower, and coconut curry sauce. It refreshes its specialty menus every semester or two. While the American pizza landscape may be shaped by big brands and standardized menus, small pizzerias continue to shine. Gainesville is a perfect example of how a local pizza scene in a small Southern college town can be unique, even in a globalized industry. Small pizzerias don't just offer food—they offer a flavorful reminder that the marketplace rewards distinctiveness and local character, too.
CTV News
04-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
What's in store for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa
Ottawa Watch We going to give you a sneak peek into what you can expect once those doors open to the public.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
York butcher uses social media to promote the family business
It's midday, mid-week, and Knavesmire Butchers in York has a steady stream of customers filing in and out, many of whom are greeted by name. A family-run establishment that prides itself on its traditional values of farm-to-fork, it may be surprising to learn this local butchers has become a hit on social media,But according to proprietor Luke Swales, it's all part of the plan: "We want to get people out of the supermarkets and back into their local businesses, especially butchers," he says."We don't want people to be saying, in 10 years' time, 'I wish there was still a butchers about, we miss going to them' - because if you keep supporting us now, we'll still be here well past my lifetime." For the 29-year-old, the butchers' business is in his father opened Knavesmire Butchers more than 30 years ago, and his family runs both the shop and the farm that supplies the shop's meat. It was the younger Mr Swales' idea to ramp up the business's social media presence, by posting videos across various platforms including Facebook and TikTok - although he admits he wasn't quite prepared for the online response."I was surprised - I just thought we'd maybe get a few local customers coming to us," he says."In the South Bank area there are lots of rented houses, so there's lots of new people to the area who might not know about us."[But] we've had messages from all over the UK and Ireland."The aim is to educate people on farming and butchery, as well as to promote the business, according to Mr Swales, who stars in most of the videos."There's not many butchers shops that have their own farms, and have that traceability of farm-to-fork - so we wanted to show people the ins-and-outs and behind the scenes," he explains. However, despite Mr Swales' initial intentions, he soon discovered that some of the shop's growing social media following appear to have a different motive for engaging with his videos."Sometimes I don't know if people want the meat or me!" he jokes. Still, he's making the most of his unexpected popularity. His later videos are knowingly smattered with a variety of meat and farming-related puns, and the shop's most successful viral hit to date features a shirtless Mr Swales wearing an apron, talking viewers through the meat counter. It racked up 350,000 describes the videos as "a bit of fun", and a way to reach a larger, generation-spanning audience, although he hasn't convinced the rest of the team to join him on screen yet. But the foray into social media hasn't been without its detractors - with some of the most surprising opposition coming from similar businesses, according to Mr Swales."There is a lot of support, but it does come with a bit of negativity - people from the same sort of work wanting to slate you, or writing negative comments."We don't understand why you'd want to pull someone down in the same trade as you?"We're saying, shop at your local butcher - wherever you are - and stop using supermarkets, or in the next 10 years there might not be these small, independent butchers." Mr Swales joined the business full-time when he finished school, and feels that he is often in a minority age bracket at agricultural events."When I go to the markets to buy stock, there's not many people under the age of 60. There's a few, but not many," he says."Farming is a dying trade, and butchers... there's not many youth coming through. We should be encouraging that."As such, his plan for future video content includes a greater focus on butchery and livestock shows in particular, in an effort to educate a younger audience. Whether these plans will include any more viral stunts is yet to be seen. "There's so much to do, but I don't like to post too much – I like to leave people wanting more," he says. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cartgate service station opposes A403 Welcome Break plan
Senior staff at an independent service station have said they feel "threatened" by proposals to build a Welcome Break services next proposals suggest developing the land west of the Cartgate Lodge picnic area off the A303 near Yeovil, Somerset, to include takeaways and drive-thru has been on the site for about 20 years and used to be a caravan park until it expanded into a bigger building with a picnic area and toilet Adam Thurgood said: "I'm all for the little man. This is a David-and-Goliath situation. It is not needed." Mr Thurgood said the 12 members of staff who work at the lodge have become "a family", and dreads having to reduce his payroll if revenue falls. "Every member of staff has been here for years. We are family here, people know our names when they come in," he said."Everyone here is really, really upset about it all." Mr Thurgood said the picnic area has become a hub for people to meet and socialise, creating an atmosphere "you would not get in a service station". "Who needs more fast food? Everything here is sourced locally and homemade by our chefs," he continued.." Jenny Essom said she and her husband visit Cartgate each time they drive down to Cornwall in their caravan. "The food is absolutely beautiful, so fresh and lovely. It's just wonderful," she said."We don't need another Welcome Break to stop at - they're all around the area. There's one just across the road. "It really isn't fair because of the people that work so hard here [at Cartgate]. If they keep going we will still come, but not everyone will obviously." A spokesman for ADS Design, which is representing the developer, previously told the BBC: "The proposed services will positively promote the area and provide a safe and comfortable refuge to visiting motorists."
Associated Press
20-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Fontana's Timber Pros Tree Service Earns Top Ratings for Reliable, Customer-Focused Tree Care
Timber Pros Tree Service, based in Fontana, CA, just landed a top rating across the board. Folks in Fontana already knew the name but now? It's official. Timber Pro Tree Service is making waves for all the right reasons. Whether it's a storm hit or yard needs refreshing, this local crew delivers. Fast. Safe. No surprises. For being reliable, responsive, and genuinely easy to work with, locals showing their love online and offline, giving them top ratings. Not just for routine tree trimming or emergency removals, Timber Pros Tree Service has become the go-to team for anyone needing honest, quality tree service of any kind. To learn more visit their website at: Serving Fontana and Beyond Rooted right here in Fontana, California, Timber Pros Tree Service operates all around California. They deliver expert level of craftsmanship to Ontario, Rialto, Riverside, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Lakewood, Chino, Jurupa Valley, Colton, Bloomington, Loma Linda, Highgrove, Muscoy, Grand Terrace, Corona, and so on. Whether it's a regular tree pruning or massive tree crash, in both cases Timber Pros Tree Service is at your service with their certified arborists and experienced tree doctors, making you feel safe and sound. They not only take care of all of your tree hassles but also leave your property neat and clean. The best part is , each and every project no matter how big or small it is, they handle it with utter professionalism, making them more competent and trustworthy. Additionally, every service is customizable while maintaining the company standards and safety precautions. What Makes Them Stand Out Earning praises like 'life-savers' or 'worth every penny' from Fontana homeowners can't happen accidentally. Ask Maria Rordriguez over near Sierra Lakes: 'After that nasty windstorm last month? My giant oak split right over the driveway. Called Timber Pros Tree Service at 7.00 A.M. By noon, it was gone and didn't get a single scratch on my pavement. They even mulched the branches! True professionals, I would say!' It's not just the quality of their work that gets noticed—it's how they do business. Timber Pros Tree Service puts a lot of value on communication and treating customers with respect. Every job starts with a clear quote and ends with a clean yard. Homeowners often mention how stress-free the whole experience is. Community Involvement & Eco-Friendly Approach Timber Pros Tree Service not only care about trees but they care about the community and the planet. They take the time to recycle wood when possible, and dispose of debris the right way. To avoid noise pollution during projects, they keep noise and disruption to a also helped out with local cleanup efforts after windstorms, and even volunteered time at parks and public spaces over the past few years. Their team takes pride in keeping Fontana's green spaces safe, tidy, and beautiful. Recognition & Ratings Timber Pros Tree Service has earned consistent 5-star ratings on Google and other platforms thanks to satisfied clients who appreciate their dependable, straightforward service. From first-time customers to long-time clients, reviews highlight the same strengths: fast response times, no-nonsense estimates, and work done safely and thoroughly. This growing list of positive feedback shows that the team's hard work and friendly approach are really resonating with Fontana homeowners. 'We treat every yard like it's our own,' said the company's owner. 'People trust us with their property, and that's not something we take lightly. We focus on doing the job right, keeping people safe, and leaving things better than we found them.' About Timber Pros Tree Service Timber Pros Tree Service is a locally owned business who are well aware of the local weather and obstacles. They serve both residential and commercial clients throughout Fontana and the surrounding areas. Their crew handles a full range of services— tree trimming, pruning, removals, stump grinding, lot clearing, crown raising, crown reduction, palm tree skinning, emergency tree services, and even storm damage cleanup. Using the right equipment and a hands-on approach, they combine professional skill with neighborhood know-how. If you're in Fontana and need tree work—whether it's a quick trim, a stubborn stump, or a tree leaning the wrong way—Timber Pros Tree Service is ready to help. Get in touch, ask questions, and see why so many locals are recommending them. Location: Media Contact Company Name: Timber Pros Tree Service Contact Person: Tovar Email: Send Email Phone: 909-587-3953 Address:7405 Cherimoya Court Ct City: Fontana State: CA 92336 Country: United States Website: Source: King PR
