275. The Rise of Double Zero Pizza & Pub with Erica Bell

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to transform a small pizzeria in Las Vegas' Chinatown into a nationally recognized restaurant? For Erica Bell, General Manager and Pizzaiola at ØØ Pie & Pub (Double Zero), the answer lies in obsessive attention to detail, authentic leadership, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. This week, we chat with Erica on the business.  In just two years of operation, Double Zero has achieved what many restaurants spend decades pursuing: recognition as one of the top 50 pizzerias in the United States. But this success story goes far beyond awards—it's a masterclass in building a restaurant culture that prioritizes quality, creativity, and genuine hospitality. The pizzeria celebrated the 43rd place ranking on the 50 Top Pizza list by offering $4.30 pizzas—a community giveback that resulted in 400 pizzas sold in four hours. Erica breaks down how they made the promotional event work flawlessly.  Bell's philosophy is deceptively simple: "You really have to have the right people in the right places because that's your foundation. My team is my foundation for the success of the business." This wasn't achieved overnight. Bell describes a crucial six-month period where significant shifts occurred, followed by three months of watching her team "rise up and feel the love and support from each other." The transformation required Bell to examine her own leadership approach and adapt her teaching methods to match how different team members learn. Listen to the full episode to learn more about Erica’s approach to leadership and what’s next for Double Zero. Learn more about Double Zero at https://www.doublezeropie.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/doublezeropiepub/.