When it comes to running a pizzeria in 2025, you need to have the best tools to slice through the competition! With the right ingredients for success—from efficient storage solutions to delivery bags that keep your pies piping hot—these must-haves will leave your customers saying, “That’s amore!”
We’re serving up your checklist for pizza perfection, featuring insights from Dawn Workman, owner of Villa Nova Pizzeria in New Buffalo, Mich., and winner of our $5,000 Cambro product giveaway at the International Pizza Expo.
To maintain Villa Nova’s outside patio, employees had to walk in and out of the restaurant to remove dirty dishes. Workman saw the Service Cart Pro as the ideal solution. Featuring a sleek, modern design that’s suitable for the front and back of house, Service Cart Pro can be staged anywhere to streamline the bussing process while maintaining a professional look.
“We absolutely love the Service Cart Pro. To be able to have a portable one that we can just bring in for winter is huge. It’s been such a blessing to be able to move it around. It’s a great cart,” said Workman.
2. Pizza Bags
If you provide delivery, you know pizza bags are non-negotiable. Workman’s previous bags were breaking and rundown, and if they disappeared, there was no way of knowing they belonged to them. With so many options for pizza, it’s imperative to set yourself apart from the competition.
Cambro Pizza GoBags® are packed with high density insulation and offer superior moisture control and temperature retention to ensure your pizza stays fresh from kitchen to customer. Available in premium and standard, you can boost your brand by personalizing them with your logo.
“I absolutely love them. The drivers love them, especially when we show up and [customers say], ‘Oh, wow, look at your bags.’ I’ve even had customers ask if they can buy one themselves so they can carry their pizzas to and from home,” said Workman.
Workman is happy to oblige. “It has our logo and they’re advertising for us. It’s a win-win.”
3. Personalized Tumblers
Sometimes the smallest items can leave a lasting impression. Decades later, we still hear pizza lovers reminisce about the days they used our Ruby Red Colorware Tumblers at pizza shops in the 90s.
Today, many restaurants offer generic glasses that you don’t think twice about. Workman chose to upgrade their glasses to clear 14 oz. Del Mar Tumblers personalized with their logo. Not only are they more attractive but they also supportive their brand.
“We get a lot of comments on [the tumblers]. People absolutely love them,” said Workman. “It’s nice to have actually [personalized] glasses that people identify.”
“Plus, they’re smaller, so you’re not having to fill them up as much as the other 20 oz. glasses.”
4. Beverage Decanters and Water Pitchers
Using smaller tumblers allows Workman’s team to be more efficient when it comes to the time consuming act of maintaining customers’ water levels. They start off using Camwear® Pitchers and provide Camliter® Beverage Decanters depending on the size of the group or thirst level.
“It’s nice to be able to put a decanter on the table and walk away instead of having to always have the server run back and refill,” said Workman.
While decanters are typically only used for water, there is one customer who requests a decanter of iced tea to go with his meal.
5. Food Storage
Don’t forget the basics! Food storage is vital to the success of any pizzeria because it directly impacts ingredients’ quality, safety and freshness. From ensuring pizza dough remains at the ideal consistency to keeping toppings like cheese, meats and vegetables at the correct temperature, proper storage practices prevent spoilage and foodborne illnesses while reducing waste. High-quality, durable food storage containers, like CamSquares®, Rounds and Pizza Dough Boxes, are designed to protect ingredients from contamination and extend their shelf life. In a fast-paced environment like a pizzeria, organized storage solutions also streamline prep work, allowing staff to quickly access the items they need and maintain consistent quality.
Visit Cambro Booth 1868 at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas to see the products mentioned in this article and enter to win this year’s giveaway!
AUTHOR: ADRIANA COCHRAN IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
