Today we’d like to introduce you to Debbie Gainor.
Hi Debbie, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
We started Pizza Zone in 1999 in an old, empty 1,200-square-foot space that had previously been a pizza shop. We began with very little money and mostly used equipment, but a lot of determination. My husband, Paul, had always dreamed of opening his own shop and after 20 years in the pizza industry, we did it.
We originally opened the business with partners, and both couples worked long hours to get the shop off the ground. The wives worked full-time day jobs and then came in at night to help run the store. Our grand opening was February 8, 2000. After two years, we parted ways with our partners and began running the business on our own. I left my full-time job to join Pizza Zone full time. At that point we had about 10 employees.
In 2009, we decided to open a second location near Grant and Jones in Cypress. While it was a good learning experience, we quickly realized it was difficult to operate two locations the way we wanted. Five years later, we sold that location to one of our employees and refocused on growing our original store.
After 17 years on Kuykendahl Road, we outgrew the space and couldn’t keep up with the volume of business or the number of employees we needed. In 2017, with about 25 employees at the time, we moved to our current location on Louetta Road, expanding to roughly 2,700 square feet. After six months of construction and new equipment purchases, we opened the doors on May 17, 2017, and grew our team to about 35 employees.
Not long after the move, our two adult sons made the decision to leave their careers and return to Pizza Zone to help run the business. This has been a huge blessing for us, allowing us to step back a bit from day-to-day operations, enjoy some time off, and focus more on marketing, business growth, and behind-the-scenes improvements.
Last year it was obvious that we once again needed more space. Fortunately, the space next door became available, and we expanded by an additional 1,100 square feet. That space is now our party room and community event area. Today, we have 42–45 employees and are excited about what the future holds. Having our sons involved helps ensure Pizza Zone will be here for the next generation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, we’ve been very fortunate and have faced relatively few struggles. Like most businesses, the first couple of years were the toughest as we worked to establish our name in a very competitive pizza market. In those early days, we relied heavily on door hangers and coupon mailers to introduce ourselves to the community.
One of our biggest challenges came during COVID, running a busy pizza shop and maintaining a full staff was especially difficult. While many people were able to work from home, we weren’t able to do that and our team showed up every single day, working long hours to keep up with an overwhelming demand. We have always been incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated crew that consistently goes above and beyond to take care of our customers.
That commitment continues today. We remain grateful for an outstanding staff who work hard, support one another, and help ensure everything runs smoothly. A business simply can’t succeed without a team you can trust, and we’re proud of the people who make Pizza Zone what it is.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are a neighborhood pizza shop known for our strong community support and our popular Pizza of the Month. We’re extremely proud to have been in business for 26 years, having not only survived but grown through challenges like COVID and the rising costs of food and supplies over the past several years. Pizza Zone is 100% family-owned and operated, with every member of our family playing an active role in the business. We’re also very proud to give back to our community by hosting over 60 fundraising Spirit Nights each year for local schools and organizations. Also, for the past several years, we’ve also hosted a Christmas pizza party for a local homeless facility. Our employees generously donate their time to serve the guests, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to be involved.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to quality, exceptional customer service, and our friendly, dedicated team. We also make it a priority to do things other shops in the area don’t. Every new delivery customer receives a welcome package, and we’ve recently launched monthly Family Fun Nights in our new party room.
Last month, we hosted a holiday event with Santa, ornament decorating, hot chocolate, and cookies, which had an incredible turnout. This month, we’re featuring a Stuffed Animal Sleepover with our pizza mascot, Zoney, complete with crafts, bedtime stories read by a librarian, and punch and cookies. We’re excited to continue bringing unique Pizza Zone events to our community in this new space.
How do you define success?
Success means being rooted in our community and giving back to it.
It’s having customers who have been with us since day the beginning, and seeing those relationships grow into genuine friendships because they’ve chosen us as their neighborhood pizza shop.
It’s earning loyalty, trust, and consistency over time. It’s also a busy Friday night with the phones ringing nonstop and a full team of delivery drivers on the road.
To us, success is building our pizza shop into something that people rely on and feel connected to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pizzazone.cc
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pizzazonespring
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pizzazone
