What does it take to build a thriving pizza business without being in the kitchen every day?

In this episode, we sit down with Francis Almeda, a multi-business entrepreneur who’s redefining what it means to run a food business. From his journey into the pizza world to embracing teamwork and finding his flow state, Francis shares deep insights on entrepreneurship, delegation, and creating sustainable success.

Highlights:

00:00- The Pizza Journey Begins – How Francis got into making pizzas and the unexpected opportunities that came his way.

04:30 - Serendipity in the Pizza World – The small-world connections that helped him gain recognition.

09:15 - Building a Brand from Scratch – The lessons Francis learned in marketing, branding, and storytelling.

14:50 - From Hobby to Business – Navigating the transition from making pizzas for fun to running a full-scale business.

19:40 -Scaling Up Without Losing Passion – The biggest challenges in growing a food business and staying authentic.

24:30 -The Art of Delegation – How Francis learned to let go and trust his team to handle operations.

30:00 - Managing Growth & Expectations – Balancing creativity with financial sustainability.

35:10 Handling Burnout & Staying Inspired – How Francis keeps his passion alive in a demanding industry.

40:20 - Lessons from the Pizza Community – Why mentorship and collaboration matter in the industry.

45:55 - Future Plans & Expanding Beyond Pizza – Francis’s vision for growth and innovation.

51:40 - Final Thoughts & Advice – Key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs and pizza lovers.

Check out Francis Almeda here:

https://www.instagram.com/francis.almeda/

Check out Francis Almeda’s businesses here:

https://www.instagram.com/sidepractice.coffee/

https://www.instagram.com/novel.pizza/

https://www.instagram.com/drip.collectivechi/

https://www.instagram.com/reppinpins/

Thank you to our show sponsors:

Corto Olive Oil:https://2ly.link/260Rf

Bacio Cheese:https://2ly.link/260Ri

DM @whatsgooddough

https://www.instagram.com/whatsgooddough/

email me: eidref@whatsgooddough.com

Shot By Tristan Marr + Alexia Refil

Topics:

pizza business, food entrepreneurship, Francis Almeda, how to start a pizza business, scaling a food business, pizza brand marketing, delegation in business, food industry success, small business growth, restaurant management, entrepreneurship lessons, branding for food businesses, passion in business, food business mentorship, building a pizza brand, managing burnout in business, storytelling in marketing, financial sustainability in food industry, expanding a food brand, business delegation strategies