Starting a business is tough, but Chris, the founder of Ozzy’s Apizza, turned a pandemic passion into one of LA’s top pizzerias. What began in his small apartment kitchen evolved into a brick and mortar shop that even caught the attention of Barstool’s Dave Portnoy.
From Home Kitchen to Bar Pop-Up
Chris moved to LA for stand-up comedy, but during COVID-19, he started making New Haven-style pizza at home. What began as baking for fun turned into selling pizzas to neighbors. Demand grew quickly, but the health department shut him down. Instead of quitting, Chris partnered with a bar that had an unused pizza oven, allowing him to scale up.
Social Media & A Game-Changing Review
Reddit and Instagram helped spread the word about Ozzy’s Apizza. Food lovers raved about it, and the business kept growing. The real turning point was a surprise visit from Barstool’s Dave Portnoy. After an initial high rating, Portnoy later said he had “lowballed” his review and increased the score. Overnight, sales skyrocketed, lines formed, and Chris had to expand his operation fast.
Opening a Brick and Mortar Pizzeria
With the boom in demand, Chris secured a second generation restaurant space in North Hollywood. It was ironically a former Mod Pizza he had managed years before. With minimal renovations, Ozzy’s Apizza officially opened, offering customers an even better experience. What started as a home project had now become a permanent pizza institution in LA.
Lessons for Aspiring Pizza Entrepreneurs
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Make a great product. Social media and marketing help, but quality pizza keeps people coming back.
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Adapt to challenges. Chris went from a home kitchen to a bar pop-up to a full shop.
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Use social media wisely. Reddit and Instagram were key to building Ozzie’s following.
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Stay resilient. Multiple setbacks did not stop Chris from pushing forward.
What’s Next for Ozzie’s Apizza?
With a thriving pizzeria and a loyal fanbase, the future looks bright for Ozzie’s. Chris continues refining his craft and is already thinking about expansion. His story proves that with passion, resilience, and a bit of risk-taking, success is possible.