Building Smarter Pizza Shops. Convo w/ Carl Comeaux of Crust Pizza Co

Great restaurant operators do not just grow sales. They build systems that protect margins, improve the guest experience, and create consistency at scale.Carl Comeaux, CEO of Crust Pizza Co., sits down with James Tice to share how lessons from fitness, cell phone repair, and franchising shaped his approach to restaurants. He explains why technology should exist to get managers out of the office and back into the dining room, where hospitality actually happens. From building internal software and launching a new POS system to sourcing paper goods directly from manufacturers, Comeaux breaks down how operators can stop accepting broken systems and start solving root problems. He also shares why strong unit economics, financial literacy, and engaged ownership are the real drivers of long-term growth.What You’ll Learn:- Why great restaurant technology should free managers to spend more time with guests- How solving root problems creates bigger wins than chasing surface-level fixes- Why financial literacy is essential for franchise and multi-unit success- How direct sourcing can protect margins and create operational stability- Why hospitality still matters more than ever in an increasingly automated world- How engaged ownership impacts store performance and long-term growthEpisode LinksCrust Pizza Co: https://www.crustfranchise.com/Carl Comeaux LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-comeaux-2ab87a3b/Visit Tab Commerce to see how restaurant-specific cards, built-in controls, and extended terms help operators clean up spend, protect margins, and create space to grow.