In the United States, we eat 90 acres of pizza a day. That's a whole lot of opportunity for a pizza-oriented business person! So if you're ready to take a slice of the pie, one of your main considerations is commercial pizza supplies basics: What equipment will your pizzeria need?

Whether you purchase a pizza franchise or develop your own unique pizzeria, the equipment you need will essentially be the same as any other pizza business requires. That pizza business equipment falls into three basic categories:

1. At least one industrial pizza oven,

2. Other large pizzeria supplies, like prep tables and dough presses,

3. And smaller commercial pizza supplies, like pans and cutters.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research industrial pizza ovens

A large portion of your wholesale pizza supplies budget will be eaten up by one or more commercial pizza ovens. Carefully research your options, then purchase the highest quality, fastest oven you can afford. Although it will cost more initially, it will save you a great deal of time--and therefore money--in the long run.

I recommend: BerkelBiz.com offers several commercial pizza ovens, including a brick oven touted as "faster and more cost effective than any other industrial oven," baking pizzas in 60 to 90 seconds. Northern Pizza Equipment also sells a variety of quality conveyor ovens.

Find other large pieces of commercial pizza equipment

After you have an oven in mind, look at other large pieces of equipment you'll be needing. Consider buying at least some of these used. This will save your business about 50 percent in equipment costs.

I recommend: Pizza Equipment World sells a variety of larger items, including dough sheeters, prep tables, heated holding cabinets, dough presses, dispensing cabinets and more; for more information, click on the photo of the sort of equipment you're interested in. CPAPC Restaurant Design & Supply carries some large equipment (like prep tables and mixers.

Purchase smaller pizza supply items

Pizza businesses require many small pizza supplies, including pizza pans and trays, cutters, scales and possibly delivery items, like bags and boxes. It's a good idea to find a single source for purchasing smaller pizza supplies wholesale to save time and shipping costs.

I recommend: Big Tray has a great selection of smaller pizza supplies, including cutters, pans, delivery boxes, racks and screens. KegWorks.com sells scales, dough dockers, dough scrapers, trays and more.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  One option for reducing the cost of pizza business supplies is to lease large pieces of equipment--especially your oven. This may also be a good way for you to discover which type of commercial pizza works best for your business.

America’s love affair with pizza has not waned over the years. Pizza is still one of the most popular choices for eat-in and take-out meals. Today pizzeria types include independent restaurants, as well as small and large corporate chains. They all have one thing in common: they need quality pizza supplies to keep their businesses in tip-top shape.

Commercial pizza supplies have come a long way. Along with industrial pizza ovens that can churn out several pizza pies in just minutes, other pizza utensils and equipment upgrades include insulated delivery bags, artisan baking stones and even pizza bubble poppers.

Commercial pizza supplies can be broken down into four basic categories:

1. Preparation
2. Cooking
3. Serving
4. Delivery

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with the basic ingredients

Good pizza starts with good dough. However, keeping large quantities of pizza dough fresh and ready to use has presented problems for many a pizza maker. Today there are specially made pizza dough boxes that increase the life of dough by storing it in boxes with individual compartments. These dough racks are stackable, helping to save space in the walk-in refrigerator, and are dishwasher-safe, making clean up a breeze.

I recommend: Lloyd Industries is a leader in the pizza supply industry. Along with dough boxes, they carry dough racks, pans, cutting utensils and other pizzeria supplies. Carlson Products is another vendor of pizza supplies. Find wholesale pizzeria supplies at AceMart.com

Choose the right kind of pizza oven

Most commercial pizza equipment includes an industrial pizza oven. Industrial pizza ovens can cook a few pizzas at a time or several dozen, depending on your operation's needs. Because today's pizza comes in a variety of styles and flavors, ranging from traditional to deep dish to wood-fired pizzas baked on stones, selecting the right oven is essential.

I recommend: Northern Pizza Equipment Inc. carries pizza ovens, as well as pizzeria supplies, like baking stones, mixers and smallwares. Wood Stone is a leading manufacturer of wood-fired pizza ovens. AMS Enterprises offers reconditioned commercial pizza equipment, including used pizza ovens.

Serve and deliver pizza to your customers

There are a lot of commercial pizza supplies needed to serve pizza, both in house and through delivery. Good quality pizza cutters, pizza paddles and pans are all part of pizza presentation in house. For delivery, you need sturdy pizza boxes and thermal bags to keep pizzas piping hot.

I recommend: PizzaTools.com is a pizza supply company that carries everything you need to outfit your restaurant and delivery service. BigTray.com carries a line of high quality pizza cutters, with reinforced blades and slip resistant grips which withstand high and low temperatures.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don't let price be the final factor when looking at commercial pizza supplies. Pizza equipment goes through a lot of wear and tear, and you want it to last for years to come.

Pizza continues to be a favorite food in American diets, which gives many the opportunity to own and operate a successful commercial pizza restaurant. You need the tools to succeed, but when it comes to commercial pizza supplies, there is a huge selection of equipment and suppliers.

Regarding pizza supplies, the basic equipment you need to stock your pizzeria is the same no matter what size your business. Knowing how the supplies and equipment operate - and what is best for you - is the challenge. To find commercial pizza supplies education and training read the following:

1. Seek knowledge from pizza supply and equipment suppliers.

2. Obtain training on the industrial pizza oven that fits your business.

3. Read magazines and websites that offer pizza supply tips

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Educate yourself on options of the industrial pizza oven

Industrial pizza ovens deserve a section all their own because of the wide variety of ovens available. First investigate the options, then match the right oven to your desired taste. Once you decide which oven you want, ask the company about training. Many of the oven suppliers offer training so that you and your employees know how to operate the oven appropriately.

I recommend: For wood fired commercial ovens by companies that offer education and training, see Forno Bravo, the Pizza Oven Specialist and EarthStone Ovens. For information and help with Wood Stone ovens, see Wood Stone.

Learn from the pizza equipment suppliers

With all the wholesale pizza supplies available, make sure you know what you need or have a pizza supplier who educates you. A supplier, who is concerned about your buying the product you need, is priceless. Supplies and equipment are too expensive to buy something unnecessary, so take the time to know the different products available and their relevance for your business.

I recommend: Pizza Mixer Store offers free analysis of your kitchen equipment on the left side of the page, and it explains the differences in dough depending on the dough mixer. For an explanation of each individual pizza tool offered, see KegWorks. For commercial supplies and equipment check out the Food Service Warehouse education center.

Take advantage of educational information available for commercial pizza equipment

Several magazines and websites offer independent information about pizza business supplies and pizza business equipment. They feature articles from other pizza restaurant owners, information for tweaking your tools and recipes, plus kitchen safety items to address. The magazines and websites focus on improving and increasing your business.

I recommend: PMQ is a monthly magazine source for pizza supplies, equipment and education. Another monthly magazine that keeps you up-to-date on methods, equipment and more is Pizza Today.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Seek training from experienced sources. Big Dave, a successful pizza and sub shop owner, spends his time consulting, speaking and training pizza business owners, and his website has articles and opportunities to ask your own questions.