Key Takeaways
- Lee Kindell, founder of MOTO Pizza, transitioned from hostel management to pizza making due to the pandemic.
- MOTO Pizza gained rapid popularity, going viral before even its official launch, and has since expanded to various locations, including stadiums.
- Plans for national and potential international expansion are in motion, with interests in new technology like drone delivery.
From Hostel to Pizza Phenomenon
Lee Kindell, the founder of MOTO Pizza, didn’t originally set out to be a restaurateur. His initial vision for a pizza joint was more of a retirement project while managing a hostel, where he built a community through foraging trips, local food experiences, and communal dinners. It was during one of these dinners that the idea of pizza making took root, inspiring Kindell to delve into the craft of dough preparation.
His fascination with sourdough grew, and he began to seriously contemplate a pizza restaurant for his future. However, the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly altered his plans. When the pandemic forced his hostel to close, Kindell shifted gears, investing his savings into a small 500-square-foot space in West Seattle, dubbed “The Up House.” With a budget of less than $60,000, he repurposed used equipment and furniture, launching his pizza shop with little fanfare. Yet, much to his surprise, MOTO Pizza experienced explosive growth, going viral on social media and garnering attention from publications like Seattle Eater.
Kindell recalls, “We went viral on day one.” The unexpected popularity led him to grow as a pizzaiolo, perfecting his craft even further. Initially mixing dough by hand, he eventually transitioned to using a mixer due to an arm injury. This change prompted a rethink about scaling his operations; he found that the quality of the dough remained intact even with the use of modern equipment.
MOTO Pizza’s expansion took a fortuitous turn when Kindell met a customer affiliated with the Seattle Mariners. He proposed the idea of producing convenient, handheld pizzas for the stadium, leading to MOTO’s operational success that can now serve up to 1,400 pizzas per game. The success didn’t stop there; MOTO Pizza later participated in the Paribas Tennis Open in Palm Springs, where they handled an impressive volume of 3,000 pizzas daily. Kindell acknowledges the complexities involved in scaling, dubbing it a “logistical nightmare,” but remains confident in maintaining MOTO’s unique approach as they grow.
Currently, MOTO Pizza is still expanding, with new locations such as their first mall outlet in Bellevue Square. With a keen interest from investors, Kindell has ambitious plans to not only grow nationally but also explore international opportunities. The incorporation of innovative technologies, such as drone delivery, is also on the horizon, aligning with his vision for MOTO Pizza’s future.
With no signs of slowing down, MOTO Pizza is steadily carving its niche in the competitive food landscape, uniting a commitment to craftsmanship with modern scaling strategies.
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