Using your own unique upbringing to bring flair to your pizza shop
For Detroit Pizza Depot’s Hunter Leslie, the journey from a delivery driver at Domino’s to owning a thriving pizza business in Hollywood has been anything but ordinary. Starting out at 18 years old in the corporate pizza world, he soon realized he wanted to do things differently — his way. That desire led to the launch of a food truck in a small Michigan town, which eventually evolved into the brick-and-mortar shop in Los Angeles.
The leap to Hollywood was inspired by a conversation with his co-founder, a fellow Michigan native who noticed the lack of authentic Detroit-style pizza on the West Coast. The pair quickly set out to introduce the rectangular pan-style pizzas to the LA food scene.
When asked for advice for aspiring pizza shop owners, he emphasized the importance of consistency and persistence. “Overnight success doesn’t exist in this business,” he said. “Showing up is half the battle, and mindset is everything. Believe in success, and you’ll achieve it.”
Detroit Pizza Depot now serves as a testament to grit, passion, and the pursuit of sharing a beloved regional specialty with a whole new audience.
