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We are just back from Pizza Expo, where the staff of Pizza Today welcomed the industry for the inaugural Pizza Today Village. We recorded episodes of The Hot Slice live on the show floor and will be rolling them out over the next several weeks.

Our first guest? None other than Wylie Dufresne, the keynote speaker at Pizza Expo. Dufresne made a name for himself in New York City’s fine dining scene by letting curiosity take the wheel. Whether it was a deconstructed eggs benedict or smoke salmon bagel with cream cheese, dishes were about more than meets the eye at Michelin-starred eatery wd-50.

Today, Dufresne brings that same curiosity to Stretch Pizza, his New York-based pizzeria that marries old-school nostalgia with best-in-class Caesar salads, mozzarella sticks and meatball sliders. Find out how Dufresne’s devotion to a life of learning informs his journey forward in the pizza world – and how you can take inspiration from the process yourself.

Show Notes:

Stretch Pizza: stretchpizzanyc.com

Pizza Expo: pizzaexpo.pizzatoday.com

Wylie Dufresne’s Recommended Reading

The Joy of Pizza: thejoyofpizzabook.com

The Pursuit of Pizza: tonygemignani.com/books

Pizza Czar: piz.za.com/cookbook

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Happy Pizza Expo Week! We hope you are enjoying the best week in PIZZA happening at the Las Vegas Convention Center. While we are focused on connecting in person, and doing MORE podcast episodes from the show floor, we want to share one of our favorite episodes this year.

Listen to Tony Troiano of J.B. Alberto’s Pizza in Chicago, Illinois, on The Hot Slice Podcast with Pizza Today

When most people think of Chicago pizza, they picture a deep-dish behemoth, a cheesy beast you need a fork and knife to conquer. But locals know the real MVP of the region is Chicago Thin – and it’s finally getting the love it deserves.

We sat down with Tony Troiano of J.B. Alberto’s Pizza, a 60-year-old Chicago institution and recent winner of the Great American Pizza Challenge for Best Traditional Thin Pizza. Troiano has been in the game a long time and had some incredible insights about why this crispy, tavern-style pie is taking over.

While tourists line up for deep-dish, Troiano says locals are gathering for game days and family parties around a box of thin crust. “Ninety-five percent of the people in Chicago … they’re eating a thin-crust pizza,” he says.

In fact, our own 2026 Pizza Industry Trends Report reveals that Chicago Thin is now the third most popular pizza style in the country! “I probably wouldn’t have competed with this particular pizza five years ago,” Troiano says. Now, he’s seeing it embraced on a national and even international level.

A key element to J.B. Alberto’s award-winning pies is the hand-pinched, house-made raw sausage. This might sound scary to some, but Tony insists it’s a game-changer. “The flavor difference is so much better,” he says. Pinching nickel-sized pieces ensures it cooks perfectly during a 12-minute bake, releasing just the right amount of flavor into the pie. And if you’re still worried? “Put it on top,” Tony advises. “That makes people feel better.”

To get the full story, listen to the complete Hot Slice episode with Tony Troiano.

Show Notes:

Download an expanded version of the 2026 Pizza Industry Trends Report!

Visit J.B. Alberto’s website, where a “secret menu” item is available only online!

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In this episode of The Hot Slice Podcast with Pizza Today, we sit down with Odie O'Connor to explore the dynamic challenges of operating two distinct concepts 1,000 miles apart: Boxcar Pizza in Portland, OR, and Odie's Pizza Company in San Diego, CA.

Odie’s holds a special place for the owner as he returns to his hometown to carryout his pizza vision. Odie shares his deep industry experience and data-driven insights on scaling a business. He breaks down the realities of running a highly systemized vegan Detroit-style shop in the Pacific Northwest alongside a bustling sourdough and New York Grandma-style concept in Southern California.

Tune in to hear our engaging conversation covering these powerful commerce-driven solutions:

• The strategic differences between launching an independent shop versus partnering with a seasoned hospitality group.
• Key operational systems and communication methods required to manage pizzerias remotely.
• Navigating rapid staff growth and scaling workforce operations from a team of 8 to a staff of 45.
• Best practices for incorporating, marketing, and pricing high-quality vegan and gluten-free options to cast a wider net.
• Leveraging professional videography to build a cohesive brand identity and drive social media growth.

It’s our business to help you build yours. Listen to the full episode today to gain actionable intelligence for your own operation, and be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!