Pizza Guide - NorthCenter

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO WINNING IN

THE PIZZA MARKETPLACE

THE LEGEND CONTINUES

It all began in a small New Jersey beach town in the mid-1950s. But going back even further, the legend of Roma® traces its roots back to Italy, where founder Louis G. Piancone was raised and where his passion for authentic culinary excellence was born.

From this humble, hard-working background more than 65 years ago, Mr. P’s dream evolved into the Roma family of brands, a powerhouse in Italian-style cooking and the central ingredient that has enabled Performance Foodservice to become the leading pizza and Italian distributor in the industry. Inherent in the Roma history is a commitment to quality, consistency, and customer service, which is why we are the number one choice for independent pizzeria owners across the United States. Our proven record of trust, reliability, innovation, and product quality is always in service to our customers and mirrors what it takes to succeed in the challenging and competitive pizza business.

We have longstanding relationships with the world’s best suppliers and manufacturers of pizza-related products – which translates to our customers receiving the best products in every case, every time, at the greatest value. Performance Foodservice has a remarkable portfolio of authentic pizza ingredients, with many sourced directly from the old country. We offer premium services and solutions, from equipment to delivery containers, menu optimization to marketing – everything that a pizza operator needs to start, maintain, or revamp a pizza business. And we understand the importance of succeeding in the critical delivery and takeout market. We are your one-stop shop for pizza support.

This guide provides a look at the full breadth of products and services that Performance Foodservice can offer. You’ll be introduced to an array of delicious ingredients, high-quality ovens, pizza boxes, and point-of-sale strategies that will have your guests eating like legends. Informed by decades of authentic expertise, we know what it takes to thrive in the pizza business today. “Quality and Service” was Mr. P’s motto and it remains the Performance Foodservice guiding principle for pizza.

Americans eat about 3 billion pizzas per year, and the U.S. covers roughly one-third of all global pizza consumption annually.

CONTENTS & OVERVIEW

Performance Foodservice has everything—and we mean everything—a pizza operator needs to succeed. Our products, knowledge, and services give you the tools to win in this industry. Take advantage of all that we have to offer to get the most out of your pizza business.

THE FOUR CORE PRODUCTS

Great-tasting pizza is the key to success, and it all starts with these four components. We have dough options—flour and pizza crust mix, frozen, and pre-made—for any kind of operation, as well as comprehensive lines of tomato products, cheese, and meat and vegetable toppings to help take your pies to the next level.

COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCTS

No pizza order is complete without authentic olive oil flavor and a full slate of scrumptious sides. Check out our breadsticks, mozzarella sticks, wings, and salad options.

PIZZA BOXES & CONTAINERS

Studies show the important connection between pizza boxes and brand recognition. We have top-line boxes and delivery/takeout containers as well as options that support sustainability.

EQUIPMENT — PIZZA OVENS & OTHER SUPPLIES

You’ve got the recipes and the eye-popping menu items. Now you need the optimal cooking equipment. From gas and electric conveyors and deck ovens to prep tables, refrigeration units, ventilation hoods, and more, we’ve got great products at competitive prices.

FOOD WASTE & PRODUCTIVITY

Our expertise is not limited to food and cooking. Limiting waste is all about maximizing profits, and we can help you with strategies and services to boost efficiency.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

The restaurant business is notoriously unpredictable. No matter what comes, we’ve got you covered.

DINE-IN, TAKEOUT & DELIVERY

As the industry evolves, winning in this segment has become increasingly crucial. Check out our many products and services to better reach consumers who are on the move.

RECIPES & TRENDS

Consumers are responding to a new wave of flavor combinations and internationally-influenced ingredients. Here, we can help you perfect your classic dishes while opening your menus to new possibilities.

MARKETING

Consumer contact is the name of the game. How do you reach potential guests who are on digital platforms? We can help you thrive with the times.

PIZZERIA MANAGEMENT & PROFITABILITY — PARTNERS IN PROFIT

The pizza business can be complex. It’s one thing to craft creative pies and another to keep your finger on the pulse of every aspect of your operation. Let us help make the process of managing easier.

TRENDS & CHANGING MARKETPLACE

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ROLLING IN DOUGH

Cheese, sauce, and toppings represent a pizzaiolo’s artistic vision. But dough is the golden-brown canvas for pizza creativity. It’s well-known that different regions and cities have their own preferences: New York-style is known for its hand-tossed dough; Chicago – its deep-dish crust; Detroit is characterized by square, Sicilian-style slices. The Performance team of pizza chefs and master pizzaiolos is renown for their expertise in Italian-style pies, from popular Neapolitan, featuring tomatoes and mozzarella, to the thin, crispy crunch of Roman slices. But whether you specialize in a thin crust, a buttery thick slice, or gluten-free options, we have a number of flour products that yield dough to your exact specifications. This includes the growing popularity of cleaner label unbleached and unbromated flours, imported and domestic. We have 00 and 0-graded flour for all oven types and temperatures. And Performance offers crusts for quick-serve, made-to-order, and full-service operations, all while maintaining the fresh taste that consumers expect. With authentic, premium products and convenient, frozen options, we can help you create the perfect crust that delivers love at first bite.

For many consumers, the ideal pizza crust is thinner in the middle, with a rim that balloons slightly to give it that all important crunch.

A SNAPSHOT OF PERFORMANCE FLOUR BRANDS

ROMA® — Comes in a variety of formulations, from patent to high-gluten with pack sizes up to 50 pounds. Often used as an excellent go-between flour. The flagship brand offers the benefits of greater dough tolerance over an all-purpose flour with a softer mouth-feel than a high-0 flour. Highlighted by an imported option sourced directly from Italy, Roma flour competes well with national brands and works with wood-fired or coal-fired applications.

LUIGI® HIGH-GLUTEN ENRICHED — Flour with a slightly higher protein level that is ideal for thin/thicker crusts and specialty breads. Minimizes the soakage of sauce into the crust, preserving the desired crunch. This is a longtime, established product in the Roma family and cooks well in deck and convectional ovens.

ASSOLUTI!® PREMIUM HIGH-GLUTEN — This yields a tolerant, strong dough, capable of making a thin, crisp crust with a nice bite. Also a consistent performer that cooks well in deck and convectional ovens.

DOUGH & CRUST

The Performance portfolio of dough and crust products runs the gamut from raw to frozen, depending on a pizza operator’s needs. In addition to versatile doughballs, choose from self-rising and sheeted crusts, pre-proofed and parbaked for wood-fired styles, as well as flatbread options, and dough for the most delicious calzones and breadsticks. Here are just a few top-line descriptions of some of our dough and crust offerings.

Pizzeria guests will recognize and appreciate the attention to great taste in the Ultimo!® line of pizza crusts. Our Ultimo! Crusts are available in different sizes and styles including self-rising crusts, New York style with a large, irregular outer rim, hand-tossed parbaked crusts, and authentic wood-fired pizza crusts that are only available from Performance Foodservice.

Our Ultimo! Supreme® Wood-Fired Pizza Crust is a clean label crust with no additives, preservatives, or conditioners — an ultra-premium parbaked pizza crust baked in a high-heat lava stone oven.

Roma® Specialty Pizza Doughballs and Gluten-Free Pizza Crust are truly unique products unlike anything else in our Roma brand portfolio. These artisan-style doughballs have a hand-crafted appearance and allow operators to create one-of-a-kind pizzas that stand out in the crowded pizza landscape.

Roma® (White) Pizza Dough is made with highquality, high-gluten, finely milled flour that gives our pizza dough strength, stretchability, and durability.

Roma® Specialty Pizza Doughballs have a 7-day shelf life under refrigeration and are ready to proof and use at days 2-4 of refrigeration. Just pull

the dough from the cooler and let stand at room temperature for 20 – 30 minutes before use. Each of the flavored doughballs carries distinct flavor and bite. The Basil Doughball is slightly sweet and perfectly complementary with a well-seasoned Roma Pizza Sauce. The Beer Doughball uses Shipyard® Export Ale Beer and is aromatic and perfectly aerated. The Garlic Doughball is dense and flavorful with chunks of fresh garlic studding the dough; and the Multi-Grain Doughball is a perfect balance between white and whole wheat flours.

The Roma® Gluten-Free Pizza Crust is 12” and weighs 9.6 ounces. It is made with rice flour, potato flakes, sea salt, garlic, and eggs and arrives frozen in a dedicated aluminum tin to prevent cross contamination. It thaws in the cooler in 2 – 3 hours and remains usable for 7 days after thawing.

Semolina flour doesn’t absorb moisture as fast as regular flour does. When used as a peel dust, this property allows for easy release of the pizza from the peel.

THE SAUCE IS BOSS

Sauce may be the least expensive ingredient in making pizza, but it can provide a punch of flavor — creating that special taste that’s unique to your pizzeria. And we understand that sauce often requires the highest levels of authenticity, able to rise to the homemade level of traditional family recipes. With that in mind, we offer an impressive collection of tomato-based items in different categories necessary for Italian cooking. Sourced directly from California, the Midwest, Italy, and other prime regions, our ingredients bring the flavor of real Italian culinary expertise to your recipes.

Sauce is typically made one of two ways depending on the needs of an operation: from scratch and ready-to-use. With products like whole tomatoes, diced/chopped, crushed/ ground, purees, and pastes, operators can create a signature sauce from scratch. Adding a heavy pizza sauce and water along with ground tomatoes and whole peeled tomatoes will create a delicious and fresh-tasting pizza sauce. Seasonings are then added for the extra punch and personality that fits your brand. True to our commitment to quality, Performance Foodservice tomato-based items are fresh packed with no citric acid included. On the following pages you’ll find a number of products, from brands like Piancone® and Ultimo!®, that have been used to make pizza sauce for more than 60 years.

When you’re deciding what sauce to use, determine the best fit according to the dough you make, the oven you use, and other variables, but the key word is FLAVOR.

READY-TO-USE

Don’t have the time or the workforce to create homemade pizza sauce daily? Then ready-to-use or fully prepared sauces may be the method for you. Prepared with olive oil, fresh Romano cheese and spices, our sauces will provide a distinctive homemade flavor. There are several advantages of using a prepared pizza sauce, including consistent quality and flavor can after can, labor savings, and convenience.

Tomato-based sauces are not the only sauces on pizza these days.

Alternatives like barbecue, garlic butter, and Alfredo are making a rise on menus. Don’t be afraid to mix it up a little bit!

PIZZA SAUCES & FULLY PREPARED PIZZA SAUCES

Piancone® Super Heavy Pizza Sauce with Basil Item# 233001

Roma®

Extra Heavy Pizza Sauce with Basil Item# 233006

Piancone®

Fully Prepared Pizza Sauce

Item# 651947

Ultimo! Supreme® Pizza Sauce

Prepared with Cheese Item# 78746

Ultimo!® Pizza Sauce

Prepared with Oil and Spices

Item# 78771

West Creek® Pizza Sauce with Basil

Item# 878205

West Creek®

Fully Prepared Pizza Sauce

Concentrate

Item# 878202

WHOLE PEELED & DICED & GROUND TOMATOES

Piancone® Domestic Anniversary Label Whole Peeled Italian Tomatoes

Item# 232026

FULLY READY WHITE SAUCE

Piancone®

Il Famoso Ground Tomatoes, Peeled

Item# 362259

Roma® Alfredo Sauce

Gluten-Free Item# 264197

MORE CHEESE PLEASE

Of all the pizza ingredients, cheese is the most popular and the most important. Your cheese provides your signature. It’s why your customers love your pizza and call it the best pizza in town. Performance Foodservice is known in the industry as the “Pizza Cheese Kings.” This honor has been bestowed on us by the thousands of customers across the country who rely on us to get them the very best cheese, with the highest quality, biggest selection varieties, and always at the best price. The warm, melty, and tasty properties of cheese are beloved by consumers of every age group and preference. And Performance Foodservice has an outstanding variety of cheese products to get the most out of your pizza menus.

Our unique, highest quality Italian pizza cheese, Bacio® is made with 100% natural ingredients like Grade A milk and our signature Kiss of Buffalo Milk. Authentically smooth and creamy with traditional dairy notes, Bacio pizza cheese offers a consistent, velvety meltdown with no over-browning or burning and retains its quality completely after being reheated. Its distinctive stretch remains impressive, even as it cools. Bacio pizza cheese is available in blocks, shreds, and in diced form.

BACIO BLOCK CHEESE

Bacio Block Cheese is made for pizza traditionalists who prefer to shred their own cheese. With firm body and traditional mozzarella characteristics, Bacio is an exceptional choice across your entire menu for shredding and slicing. Available in Whole Milk, Part Skim, and new Provore™ varieties, Bacio block cheeses all feature our signature Kiss of Buffalo Milk™ and quality guarantee.

BACIO SHREDDED CHEESE

Bacio Shredded Cheese is naturally crafted with our signature Kiss of Buffalo Milk™ and expertly shredded to our exacting standards. It’s perfect for operators who enjoy the convenience of pre-shredded cheese but refuse to skimp on quality.

BACIO DICED CHEESE

Bacio Diced Cheese is ideal for pizzerias that demand premium ingredients along with convenience for easy handling and portioning. Made with our signature Kiss of Buffalo Milk, Bacio diced cheese is crafted and cut to exacting standards, so you get guaranteed consistency in every bag.

BACIO GOLD CLUB

Operators have the opportunity to save even more by becoming members of the Bacio Gold Club. With cash back rewards, operators can earn money back with every pound of Bacio cheese purchased. Members will receive a Visa rewards card every month that reflects the earnings.

For more than 40 years, our Northland® cheese operation in Rice, Minn., has offered fresh, made-to-order cheese products for pizza operations across the country. With over 2,100 options including mozzarella, reducedfat cheddar, Romano, Parmesan, provolone, organic, and vegan, among many more, we’ll help you find the right cheese for your brand. With Northland products you won’t find anywhere else, you can get a variety of shredded and diced options in customized packaging. Our cheese experts will help you identify the most profitable and delicious blends.

Visit northlandcheese.com for more information.

EXPLORE OUR BRANDED PIZZA CHEESES

ASSOLUTI! & LUIGI

Quality products that offer great value. The higher moisture offers a softer chew and performs well for delivery and takeout. Available in blocks, shreds, and in diced form.

CUTS & SHREDS

Mozzarella is the most often used cheese for pizzas. A variety of shreds are available prepackaged, but you may also shred your own from block packaged cheese. Refer to the chart below for appropriate measures for assorted sized pizzas.

ROMA

CLASSICO & SUPER DELUXE

These are the choices of the traditional pizza maker. Fullbodied flavor and excellent performance are their hallmarks. They reheat very well and maintain a white appearance and creamy texture as they cool.

TYPES OF CUTS

Dice cut

Cut 1/8” x 1/8” x 1/8” cube

Cut 1/4” x 1/4” x 1/4” cube

Cut 3/8” x 3/8” x 3/8” cube

PIANCONE, FAVOLOSO & ROMA ORIGINAL

These are top quality mozzarella and pizza cheeses with distinct flavor profiles. Piancone offers a softer bite and texture, while Roma Original offers a firmer bite and good stretch. Favoloso is a typical Wisconsin cheese with a firm bite that holds up well as the product cools (it does not get translucent). These products are also available in blocks, shreds, and in diced form.

Oval/Feather Shred

This type of shred is a slightly modified oval shred

Fine/Fancy Shred

The V-Cut shred is diamond in shape and approximately 1/16” (1.6 mm) on all sides

Regular Shred

This type of shred is diamond in shape and approximately 7/64” (2.8 mm) on all sides

Ribbon Shred

3/64” x 3/8” x 1 1/2” — a thin, flat shred

TOP THIS

If dough is the canvas, cheese the popular, melty texture, and sauce the secret ingredient, toppings and combinations are the real differentiators. Even on classics, like a pepperoni pizza, the coverage and quality of the pepperoni can make a huge difference in how it’s received. But it’s important to recognize that consumer tastes are changing as well. Unique, interesting flavor combinations from across the globe are increasingly on-trend. Not only should pizzerias consider having innovative recipes that set them apart from the rest of the field, they should also offer pies that stand out on their own menus. Remember that the more exotic the offerings, the more an operator can charge.

Performance has pizzerias covered with toppings ranging from meaty proteins, to fruits and vegetables, to the growing popularity of plant-based proteins as reflected by our new Green Origin® brand. Yet, despite all of these tasty choices, pepperoni remains king of the pizza mountain.

Our pepperoni is available in traditional slices, dices, and sticks. Roma®, the premium brand, utilizes a formula that has gone unchanged in the last 30 years. Sourced from premium blocks of meat, finely ground with all-natural seasonings, and smoked with real wood chips, Roma gives operators the consistent taste needed to keep guests coming back for more.

Our vast variety of sausage and beef crumbles or meatballs arm operators with exactly the right topping for any menu application. Perfectly seasoned and consistent from bag to bag, these topping products deliver great texture and delicious flavor to all of your pizza, calzone, or stromboli recipes. Our sausage products include Italian-style, cooked, pork, breakfast, plant-based, and hand-pinched in oblong, irregular, and fine crumble presentations. Fully cooked sausage can be found in our Assoluti!®, Roma, and Ultimo!® brands, with fully cooked, Italian pork sausage offered in the Roma line. Fully cooked breakfast pork sausage

We’ve partnered with pioneering meatless manufacturers to create products with the flavor profile, taste, and texture of meat protein, along with traditional seasonings. Made with non-GMO soy and zero grams of saturated fat, these toppings align with growing consumer preferences for plant-forward diets.

Additionally, our authentic Italian portfolio carries a wide assortment of plant-based pantry staples like roasted red peppers, banana peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, dried herbs, and olives. Our premium fresh produce line, Peak Fresh Produce® delivers the most consistent, quality fruits and vegetables available. We set the highest standards to ensure our produce is picked at its peak time for the best taste and color. Not only do these products provide preferential consumer benefits, but they add a range of textures that perform well when paired with cheese, sauce, and crust. In terms of preparation, chefs should ensure that fruit and vegetable toppings have been dried before cooking, whether canned or fresh, and apply gentle pressure to avoid excess moisture when assembling a pie.

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AN EXTRA SIDE OF FLAVOR

There’s something about pizza that makes consumers want more – more toppings, more slices, more drinks, and definitely more sides. Pizza may be the main event, but consumers love to pair a tasty pie with delicious side items as well.

Get the most out of your menu by adding handheld options like breaded, boneless, or traditional wings, meatballs in all shapes and sizes, garlic bread, fried calamari, breaded cheese sticks, fried vegetables, aranci balls, desserts, and more. Our Roma® and Luigi® brands have the most popular pairings to go with pizza.

We also go straight to the source for classic products that are staples of Italian restaurant dining rooms. Often imported directly from Italy, we find the best aged balsamic vinegars, extra virgin olive oils, and flavored peppers. Our connection to old country suppliers and artisans remains strong.

Appetizers like breadsticks, chicken strips, mozzarella cheese sticks, cheese bread, grilled eggplant, arancini balls, and Buffalo wings are popular items.

THE BIG POINT OF CONTACT

The digital landscape is changing how restaurants reach out to consumers, but for pizzerias, the most important point of contact is held right in your guests’ hands. It’s not just what’s inside the pizza box that counts. Your box serves many functions as it carries your product to its destination. And your pizza box comes in contact with nearly three people on average as it’s handled, so there’s a real opportunity to maximize brand recognition.

Whether it’s our unique design or yours, serve up your pizza in style while extending your marketing reach with custom box solutions. Choose a print design that reflects the quality and performance of your business. It lets your guests know what to expect when they open the box – a unique, hot, fresh pie, straight from the oven.

Our boxes are engineered to keep your pizzas hot and safe from the elements without burning your driver or patron. We provide a variety of box designs customized how you want them with low start-up costs and low minimums. Our selection allows you to find a box and design that best fits your business.

We offer B-Flute options with less flex for heavier pizzas and E-Flute with half the storage space and to reduce costs. The Kraft Liner has a natural look and is recognized for better sustainability, while the White Liner has a more sanitary look with prints that tend to stand out. New to our pizza box line is a recyclable version that ties into consumer demand for environmental responsibility.

Performance Foodservice and WestRock are working together to make pizza delivery more sustainable through Performance Food Group’s Sustainable Choices™ program, which is designed to enlighten consumers about the realities of pizza box recycling.

SERVING UP SOLUTIONS

Equipment, especially gas or electric pizza ovens, decks, conveyors, or brick ovens with wood or charcoal, can make or break a pizzeria. At Performance Foodservice, we understand that operators want to compete more efficiently and reduce costs while at the same time delivering the best pizza on the planet. As a result, we offer a one-stop-shop source for all operator commercial equipment needs. Our own Pizza Solutions company is your number one source for high-quality pizza ovens, mixers, sheeters, and so much more — all from trusted brands.

We believe custom solutions lead to success stories. Get great products for great value and unrivaled service. No matter the size and scope of your operation, whether you are just starting out or you need replacement items — Performance is here for all of your kitchen supply needs.

Many operators prefer gas ovens to make high volume pizzas that produce crispier crusts and are more evenly cooked. Whether gas or electric, Performance has you covered.

FOOD WASTE CHECKLIST QUESTIONS:

• What is the proper portion size for your operation?

• Is product being returned to the kitchen?

• Is kitchen staff using portion control tools?

• Does kitchen staff follow recipe guidelines and plating examples?

• Are dishes priced accurately?

FOOD WASTE & PRODUCTIVITY

One key to success in the highly competitive world of pizza is keeping a close eye on margins. Controlling costs, reducing food waste, and increasing productivity are central to a pizzeria’s financial health. To attract the modern consumer, operators also realize that an emphasis on sustainability and limiting waste is in alignment with overall market trends. Patrons want to support restaurants that understand environmental impact.

With a range of products and food waste solutions, Performance Foodservice has the tools to help you manage those margins. We offer pre-cut, customizable cheeses that fit the exact specifications of your pizza recipes. Our line of pre-prep dough includes items like frozen dough balls to help ramp up pie production. Heat-and-serve options make it easier than ever to crank out appetizers and entrées with scratch-made flavor. We can help you optimize storage and extend shelf life to get the most out of your inventory.

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

Why is the dough bubbling?

Yeast brands act differently, it could be old or bad yeast, or simply a lack of sufficient proof time. Bubbling could result from poor kneading, rolling, or docking of dough.

Hey, it’s a restaurant – and crazy things are going to happen. Our decades of experience in pizza means that we’ve pretty much seen it all, and we’ve fixed it all. We’ve got dedicated service representatives to help you tackle any issues that may arise. Here are a few troubleshooting examples:

Why is the crust too thin or why does it have holes?

Why is the crust sticking to the deck?

Maybe the pies have been left standing too long, the sauce has seeped through the dough and is sticking to the screen. It could be that the bake pan was improperly oiled, causing it to stick to the crust.

This may be caused by a wet dough ball. There could be sauce on the bottom or splashes from when it was placed in the oven – staff should use less sauce.

Why is there a light bottom on a pan pizza?

What do I do if the cheese gets too

The pan may not have been seasoned properly, the temperature was perhaps too low, or it may have been too short a bake time.

Reduce the temperature of your oven and be sure you have fresh, good quality cheese. Older cheese tends to brown more quickly than fresh product. Note the time and temperature that give the best results. Based on your oven, you may want to reduce the temperature and extend the baking time to reduce too much browning.

The crust is not browning or getting crispy, what should I do?

Make certain you’ve thawed the dough properly and allowed it to reach room temperature before baking. Try baking your crust on a pizza screen or perforated pan. Be sure that you’re applying enough bottom heat to the crust and that you aren’t baking the product too quickly. Also, the more age you give the dough, the crispier the crust.

DINE-IN, TAKEOUT & DELIVERY

Like any other dining segment, pizza is about the experience. A pizzeria thrives on customer interaction, and of course there are three ways to get your food to the people and drive traffic: dine-in, takeout, and delivery. Each of these provides its own unique encounter, but quality service and a hot, delicious food presentation are constants.

Performance Foodservice is your expert for dine-in best practices. We are wellversed in customer service, pizza presentation, point-of-sale technology, menu optimization, and health and sanitation practices. We can help you boost the inperson aspect of your business, turning your dining room into a foodie destination.

And yet, takeout and delivery are still the lifeblood of a pizza operation. Across the country, no company delivers success like Performance. We’ve got you covered with technological assets to reach more customers, making it easier for them to place orders into your system. Our experts understand the products and ingredients that will keep your pizzas looking tasty and fresh out-of-the-oven. Performance has a wide selection of pizza boxes, takeout and delivery packaging, and colorful branding materials to help you deliver your signature service.

RECIPES & TRENDS

You don’t build a name in the pizza space for more than a half-century without cultivating some serious chef talent. At Performance, pizza is our passion. That’s why we meticulously source the finest ingredients directly from Italy. Our experts are plugged in to consumer trends and understand the pizza market like no one else. Our sales force is committed to the details to help you thrive, from authentic table-top olive oil to the highest quality gloves for kitchen staff.

But the creativity and talent of our corporate chefs and master pizzaiolos are next level. They know that innovative pizza solutions and recipes can make all the difference on your menus. Consumers are craving unique flavors, well-sourced ingredients, and eye-catching toppings. They want restaurant-quality food even if they’re eating at home. Now more than ever, it’s important to have your pizzas stand out from the crowd.

We asked our master pizzaiolos & chefs:

What’s the key to a great pizza and a great pizza business?

MASTER PIZZAIOLO JAMES ANDERSON

One secret to making an excellent pizza is getting the proper fermentation on the dough. One trick I use often is starting with either a Poolish or Biga starter. In basic terms, these are preferments, which help the enzymes break down the starches and protein in the flour. Especially when using an unbleached and unbromated flour, a preferment assists in the gluten formation.

MASTER

MASTER PIZZAIOLO ENZO FERRANTE

MASTER PIZZAIOLO PETER GALLANT

Consistency keeps them coming. Choose quality products for a great taste in every slice.

Your pizza oven is the engine of your business. You need to know it better than a best friend. This will determine how and what to do to prepare the right crust and what cheese will perform best, whether your pizza is enjoyed at your place or at your customer’s home.

The secret to the perfect pizza is undoubtedly the dough. It is the heart and soul of the tradition. I see the future of pizza making moving more and more towards clean, simple ingredients. Unbleached unbromated flours will become the new standard for first class pies.

Great pizza starts with the finest authentic ingredients. Roma® brings more than 65 years of quality to the table, allowing the food to be the focus of an exceptional guest experience.

That’s why we have an unparalleled collection of mouth-watering recipes to inspire your menus. Our delicious product options will allow your guests to really taste the quality. Whether it’s a topping or a cheese ingredient, we source it, craft it, and deliver it straight to your kitchen. Visit performancefoodservice.com/Get-Inspired/recipes for enticing pizza recipes!

MASTER PIZZAIOLO TONY LA ROSA

To make the best pizza, you need to understand the process — from making the dough to the finished product out of the oven. The key is consistency, passion, and quality Roma products. Understanding marketing and current trends, as well as making your guests feel special is the key to success.

Buon Appetito!

CHEF VINNIE CALDARO

Keeping it simple with high-quality ingredients (dough, tomatoes, cheese) and a large dose of passion is what makes the best overall pizza. Using our authentic, time-tested Roma® products will ensure building your own unique pizza legacy. Perfecting the dough sets you apart. Tying in clean-tasting tomato sauce and our super-premium quality mozzarella will make a lasting impression.

CHEF RICHARD CAMEROTA

The key to creating a truly delicious pizza is using premium ingredients. The highest-quality flours, tomato products, and cheeses combined with careful and consistent preparation will take a pizza from average to crave-able! Your passion along with the partnership of your Performance Culinary Consultant are key elements contributing to success.

CHEF BRIAN CARLIN

The beautiful art of pizza making is that you have a blank canvas every time. Be adventurous, use your canvas to create works of art that bend the rules and attract a new and exciting customer base.

CHEF ANTHONY PALERMO

The foundation of a great pizza starts with the dough-making process. The most important step in creating an ideal pizza crust is allowing the dough to ferment for ample time under the correct conditions. This ensures an improved gluten structure that will result in a crunchy, airy, digestive pizza.

CHEF RICH SMICE

It starts with fresh-made dough. A little extra love in the dough makes all the difference in the world.

The other key is to top with fresh seasoned ingredients. Then using Bacio® cheese to infuse the flavors from the ingredients, makes for the best flavor and eating pizza experience that you can have.

CHEF ROBERT STEGALL SMITH

The key to a great pizza is realizing there are many keys! From the most expertly made traditional pies to the most outrageous creations, pizza is the perfect food vehicle to address the tastes, dietary needs, and lifestyle preferences of your customers. The three simple steps of make, bake, and deliver now comes with many options. Bridging the gap between great pizza making and your customer base will help you create your own perfect pizza.

CHEF LONNIE VARISCO

A great pizza always begins with investing in the best quality ingredients. Culinary technique is the next key to make sure those great ingredients shine. Most important is your passion and culinary vision. These pieces of the pie combine to create a memorable bite and experience for your customers.

MARKETING

With so many competitors in the pizza game, what does it take to elevate your restaurant above the rest? A robust marketing plan helps you not only reach more consumers but establishes your brand for even broader exposure.

As a Performance Foodservice customer, you’ll have premium access to industry newsletters and publications filled with innovative recipes, trending solutions, and the newest products. Industry events and food shows bring you closer to national suppliers, celebrity chefs, and experts in the pizza field.

And we’ve leveraged our market strength to partner with some of the country’s leading tech companies. Performance customers can access these companies collectively through our One Source, Solution Partners program, designed to help you gain additional customer consideration, compete more efficiently, and reduce your costs. From market design to reputation management, how you market yourself directly impacts foot traffic and repeat business.

HAVE A TASTE NEWSLETTER

Weekly email newsletter that includes relevant industry trends, menu inspiration, and promotes our brands.

To sign up for our newsletters go to: performancefoodservice.com/GetInspired/Newsletter-Signup

ONE SOURCE, SOLUTION PARTNERS

A collection of suppliers that help you streamline and enhance your service, helping you get in tune with your customers while staying one step ahead of your next shipment. When you join the One Source program, you receive discounts from our One Source suppliers. There is no cost for Performance Foodservice customers to join, and no obligation associated with the program.

To find out more go to: performancefoodservice.com/ OneSource

THE DISH IDEAS FOR SUCCESS

Showcase your menu inspirations and new products through our monthly Dish publication and newsletter. The vivid, colorful photography will give you a sense of the eye-catching presentations that guests can expect on the plate. Whether it’s recipe ideas, menu tips, or industry news you crave, The Dish publication serves up everything you need to help your restaurant get inspired and stay informed.

Let’s get cooking!

performancefoodservice.com/ Get-Inspired/The-DISH

PIZZERIA MANAGEMENT & PROFITABILITY

Whether you run a pizza restaurant or are looking to open one, there are a lot of facets involved in operating a well-managed and profitable business. It takes the right equipment, the right distributor, the right products, the right kind of labor training, and so much more. Performance Foodservice can help you with every step of the process. Here are a few things to consider when opening a pizzeria. Performance understands that in addition to serving up outstanding pizzas, your goal is to make money. We are experts in industry success with resources to help you get the best out of your staff, maximize your menus, and establish efficient systems to limit waste and control costs. Your success is our business!

WHAT TO DO 30 – 60 DAYS BEFORE OPENING?

The time to start marketing your new restaurant is while it is still under construction. You’ll find that once the restaurant is open, you won’t have much time to plan a grand opening event.

• Develop a point-of-sale package

• Order and distribute menu flyers and coupons

• Prepare banners and promotional materials

• Get information on neighborhood trends

• Plan your opening events

• Train staff

TRENDS & CHANGING MARKETPLACE

The essentials of the pizza marketplace have remained mostly the same over the years. The pillars of service, quality ingredients, great-tasting food, and an appealing presentation are still at the heart of this industry. The longtime experience of Performance Foodservice makes us uniquely positioned to help you excel in these critical areas.

And yet, so much about running a modern restaurant has changed. Technology has completely altered how you connect with consumers, and point-ofsale applications are almost fully digital. Consumer demographics and trends are also rapidly changing. They are skewing younger and more diverse with a higher demand for creativity, international flavors, responsibly-sourced ingredients, and sustainability. These marketplace shifts may seem costly and challenging, but really they’ve just opened up more opportunities.

As the leaders in pizza and Italian food for more than 65 years, Performance Foodservice is still growing alongside you. We understand where you’ve been, and we can help you reach where you’re trying to go. It’s important to have a partner that performs. With leading products, cutting-edge solutions, quality equipment, and inspiring menu concepts, we’ve got everything to help you succeed, all in one place. When it comes to pizza, Performance delivers.