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:

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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