Key Takeaways
- Lee Kindell transformed his pizza-making passion into MOTO Pizza, a rapidly growing restaurant chain in Seattle.
- The restaurant utilizes advanced technology, including robots for pizza assembly, to meet high demand.
- Kindell aims to expand MOTO Pizza nationally while optimizing processes for future growth.
Turning Passion into a Business
For over two decades, Lee Kindell operated a backpackers hostel and boutique hotel in Seattle, where he welcomed travelers with homemade pizza. Guests often encouraged him to open a restaurant, a plan he considered for retirement. However, the onset of COVID-19 forced a change in direction.
With his hospitality business in jeopardy, Kindell decided to pursue his retirement dream early. Today, MOTO Pizza has become one of the most popular restaurant concepts in Seattle, quickly expanding from a temporary location to three permanent spots, plus a concession at T-Mobile Park, serving pizza during Seattle Mariners games.
To enjoy MOTO’s pizzas, patrons often need to arrive early or sign up for a waiting list that can span a month. Initially, the restaurant faced overwhelming demand, with guests waiting up to four hours. Now, MOTO can serve 250 pizzas per night at a single location, thanks in part to an advanced point-of-sale system that schedules orders efficiently.
Embracing Technology
Recognizing the need for efficiency, Kindell has harnessed technology to streamline operations. After suffering an arm injury that prevented him from making dough by hand, he began using a mixer, which proved equally effective. This experience spurred an interest in leveraging more innovations, such as using robots from a local company, Picnic, to automate topping pizzas, which allows for quicker production.
Kindell is also exploring other technology avenues like drone delivery and sidewalk robots to further improve customer access and experience. The introduction of a unique single-serve pizza size for T-Mobile Park, designed for one-handed consumption, exemplifies MOTO’s adaptability and focus on customer convenience.
Fortuitous Opportunities
While hard work and tech adoption have fueled MOTO’s success, Kindell acknowledges the role of luck in the business’s rise. A chance encounter with Mariners employees who enjoyed his pizza led to opportunities at T-Mobile Park, propelling his brand’s visibility.
The popularity of MOTO Pizza has attracted attention from investors, but Kindell is taking a measured approach to growth. He aims to refine his systems and processes to ensure they are ready for scaling, whether in stadiums or retail spaces nationwide. His focus remains on maintaining a competitive edge, aiming for a time when customers won’t have to wait for their delicious pizzas.
Through persistence and innovation, Lee Kindell is preparing for the next chapter of MOTO Pizza, combining culinary passion with strategic growth to make his brand a national phenomenon.
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