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S2. Ep 33 - From Mortgage Loans to Gourmet Pizza | Ben & Jess, The Story of Fancy Pizzeria in Safford
Description
On this episode of the Who Is This Podcast, we sit down with Ben and Jess, the owners of Fancy Pizzeria in Safford, Arizona.
Ben shares his incredible journey from working in the mortgage industry and luxury resort kitchens to completely renovating an abandoned building and transforming it into one of the Gila Valley's most unique dining experiences. Along the way, he discusses culinary school, learning from mentors, rebuilding a vacant property, creating a chef-driven menu, and building a restaurant centered around family, community, and great food.
The conversation dives into the philosophy behind Fancy Pizzeria, their handcrafted menu, community initiatives like Pay-It-Forward pizzas, open mic nights with live musicians, and why they've invested heavily in technology and convenience through their ordering app.
If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a successful restaurant from the ground up, this episode is for you.
Be sure to following the delicious journey!
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Episode Highlights
🍕 Leaving the mortgage industry to become a restaurant owner
🏗️ Renovating a vacant building from the ground up
👨🍳 Culinary school and working in luxury resorts
🍝 The story behind Fancy's famous pasta dishes
🎵 Open Mic Nights and supporting local talent
❤️ The Pay-It-Forward Pizza program
📱 Why the Fancy app is changing the customer experience
👨👩👧👦 Building a family-centered restaurant culture
🌵 Why Safford was the perfect place to start a business