MOD Pizza on Failing Fast and Enlightened Capitalism

Fast Casual pioneer Paul Barron sits down with MOD Pizza co-founders Ally and Scott Svenson. MOD Pizza is not the husband-and-wife team’s only business—the Svensons previously co-founded the popular Seattle Coffee Company (now owned by Starbucks).

First established in Seattle in 2008, MOD Pizza is not your average fast casual pizza chain. With over thirty locations, MOD Pizza’s core values are rooted in the betterment of its employees and communities rather than the restaurant’s potential financial gains. The chain aims to have a positive impact on the lives of its people—affectionately termed the “Mod Squad”—through the success of the restaurant.

When Ally and Scott first started MOD Pizza, fast-casual was just starting. “There was no one doing what we do now,” says Scott. “We had to develop [the concept] in our mind’s eye and construct it and then test it… [our] philosophy was ‘fail fast.’”

The business did not fail and swiftly developed an ever-growing following. However, when Ally and Scott opened their fifth store, they reviewed any ideas of rapid expansion plans very carefully. “We decided to pursue something we call enlightened capitalism,” notes Scott. “What that means to us is to build a business that’s unapologetically for profit, that is best in class in its operations and its financial performance, but whose purpose is to make a positive social impact.”

“We know we’re in the business of pizza,” adds Ally, “but really what we’re about is people.”

Check out the episode above to meet some of the “Mod Squad” and to learn more about the chain’s crust recipe and unique pizza offerings!

Make sure to check out the all-new Fast Casual Nation Podcast featuring more founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators changing the landscape of fast-casual.

This post is sponsored by Chepri, which provides custom guest experience software development and builds frictionless web UI/UX, e-commerce, mobile, and kiosk apps for restaurant brands, chains, and franchisors.