Episode Details
Back to Episodes
BLK Crust Pizza - Adrion Thomas
Description
Ready to open your first pizza business? Get my FREE New Store Checklist
go.tyrellreed.com/free
Todd's Curry Sauce - Enjoy 10% Off All Orders using code: PIZZAKING
www.toddscurrysauce.com
Bag Genie Pizza Bags - Buy and 4 bags and get a 5th bag for free using Code: PIZZAKING
www.baggenie.net
On this episode of The Pizza King Podcast, I sit down with Adrion Thomas, the founder of BLK Crust Pizza LA, to hear his inspiring journey from a corporate recruiting career to becoming a full-time pizza entrepreneur. Adrion shares how he turned a layoff into an opportunity, creating a unique brand featuring pizzas with his signature black crust made from activated charcoal. We dive into the value of starting small, building community, and staying true to your vision. This conversation is packed with inspiration and practical advice for anyone dreaming of building something amazing from scratch.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
How Adrion transitioned from corporate life to running BLK Crust Pizza full-time.
The story behind the name "BLK Crust" and the unique use of activated charcoal.
Why Adrion keeps his menu small and mighty.
The importance of giving back to your community while building a business.
Adrion’s plans to scale from pop-ups to a food truck and beyond.
Key Takeaways
Turn Setbacks into Opportunities: Adrion’s story shows how losing his corporate job became the spark for something greater—building a one-of-a-kind pizza brand.
Brand Identity is Everything: The name BLK Crust Pizza and its signature black dough have helped Adrion stand out in a crowded market.
Community is Key: Adrion has made a conscious effort to build strong relationships by giving back, feeding those in need, and engaging with his loyal customers.
Simplicity Wins: Keeping a streamlined menu of three pizzas ensures operational efficiency and high quality, while reducing waste.
Sustainable Growth: Adrion’s vision for BLK Crust includes organic growth, starting with pop-ups, moving to a food truck, and eventually expanding to brick-and-mortar locations.
Give them a follow on IG: @BLKCRUST
George rolls up in the EDGE test truck and invites you to step inside, where you’ll bake your own pizzas in our oven—using your dough, your toppings, your process. It’s the simplest way to experience firsthand why EDGE powers some of the best-performing pizza kitchens in the world, and why our bake is widely regarded as market-leading.
https://www.edgeovens.com/test-bake
Visit https://www.edgeovens.com/test-bake to schedule your demo
Leadership Lessons From The Great BooksUnderstanding great literature is better than trying to read and understand (yet)...
Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Want to grow your pizza shop with better systems, better leadership, and real operator conversations?
Join Pizza Pro Circle.
It’s a free community for pizzeria owners, operators, and managers who want prac