Bay Area pizza joint thriving as worker co-op

[@ZilchFan66]

This is a great business model. Glad to see it is succeeding!

[@IreneYam1]

The pizza is sooo good, I use to just live five minutes away and it was the ONLY pizza place I would order when living in Santa Clara! Go if you can, or just get a slice!

[@jan8919]

What is the shop called & where is it located at ?

[@huggy_b]

@@jan8919 sorry this is 7 months later, but it's name is Slice of New York, there's one located in San Jose on Stevens Creek Blvd and one located in Sunnyvale on El Camino Real. the Sunnyvale location is much larger and has seating, whereas the SJ location is more whole in the wall. Help them out so we can keep them around!

[@guanxinated]

I'd be really interested to know the specifics of their operations because, at least on the surface, this sounds like a wonderful idea.

[@alexcarter8807]

A lot of bakeries are run as worker-owned co-ops, also a lot of companies like the Burley bike trailer company started out that way. It's a viable business model.

[@somewhereinspace2166]

Businesses can use models like this and thrive, or they can complain "nobody wants to work!" when they can't retain employees for $10 an hour with no benefits. Any job should provide survivable wage and room for growth in the company.

[@alexcarter8807]

I've been by there about a million times. I'll have to actually go in and try a slice. What makes it a must for visitors to "Silicon Valley" is, it's not only a slice of New York but a slice of the *real Silicon Valley* in that it's in a run-down strip mall that proudly wears the mantle of decades upon decades of deferred maintenance. This is the real Silicon Valley.

[@bombwallstreet]

this is gold

[@alexissantos9333]

This makes me happy, i will definitely give them my business

[@elizabethb4332]

I am actually hungry for pizza right now. 🍕

[@ge2623]

Then you should go to New York or Chicago and get a real pizza.

[@elizabethb4332]

@@ge2623 Will do! 🍕

[@nancychace8619]

Great idea! Sounds delish. Being a former EMT, would encourage you to wear gloves according to current regs, whatever they are, especially in any kind of restaurant business. Really like your business concept. Good luck!

[@StephEatsnTravels]

Best pizza in the Bay Area!

[@joechen353]

Would you know where in the 🌁ayarea

[@AlbertsList]

@@joechen353 Santa Clara and Sunnyvale

[@D.Rothchild]

Im going tomorrow

[@brandonchristopher9657]

We need more of this. I want to eat there💯

[@DimethylDimension]

I love to see it!! 🙌🙌

[@lloydsmith522]

Friend working on bay area does anyone know the name of thos pizza parlor?

[@KirkVartan]

A Slice of New York

[@joeriveracomedy]

I do contracting in the east bay and would make pizza part time if I could. I just want a check. Is that too much to ask?

[@jan8919]

What’s name of the place ?

[@Lousasshol]

Called finance part of my business please , somewhere near San Fran

[@alexcarter8807]

San Jose's *A Slice of New York* isn't just an award-winning pizza joint ... the headline.

[@jan8919]

@@alexcarter8807 Thank you i appreciate it .

[@alexcarter8807]

@@jan8919 ok boomer

[@jan8919]

@@alexcarter8807 I know it was on the description yesterday did not show on yelp.

[@josemedeiros007]

Great story Len and Great Pizza at a Slice of New York restaurant. I am glad that Kirk Vartan has bee successful after leaving Cisco Systems as an IT Manager, and his Co-Op business model is succeeding.

[@yayoikise-wf5rd]

Just tried here for the first time. Very nice 👍

[@stevencampbell365]

Take csre of employees 😮 what an idea !!! Go Strong 💪🙏

[@SeanOMatic]

Zachary's is also employee owned

[@josemedeiros007]

Zachary's has the best Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza. :-)

[@epursimuove1633]

Time will tell

[@saramae9878]

Still open, 4.7 stars from 1,723 reviews on Google.

[@CA_88]

Walmart might wanna watch this bc they got some of the most rude idiots working for them

[@tvviewer4500]

What happens to owner ship when people leave or die?

[@janmay7961]

I’m sure they can sell their share to others when they leave and there should be named beneficiaries if they died.

[@tvviewer4500]

@@janmay7961 and how do you hire a new employee then? What share of the business do they get? The estate of a dead worker would be entitled to their share. It doesn’t make any sense once you have to deal with an interest that belongs to an employe or an employee family that can’t work or an employee that wants out and doesn’t want to sell their shares. One lawsuit will wipe out any advantage many times over

[@KirkVartan]

@@tvviewer4500the business purchases the share back from the former employee that leaves at the same price they paid for it. If the person dies, the value of that share goes to the beneficiary. Really quite simple.

[@ThatOneGuyFromSchool]

And people use "socialism" in a bad way

[@gmc9753]

A co-op actually can work. But they quickly glossed over the detail that one person initially put up all the money to get the business built and going and the current employees have to pay off loans for their share of the business.

[@jpark91]

Is it like a home mortgage but for a business?

[@TheDragonRelic]

Still sounds good to me

[@ge2623]

I get it. "A slice of the pie" It's a story on pizza, which is also called "pie" There is also a story on a surfing dog who isn't "Barking up the wrong tree" the Bear who works on wall street who brings new meaning to a "Bear market" The Dolphin who is having a "Whale of a time" A Kitten who is "the Cats meow" and the Horse who's "Back in the saddle" at McDonalds. Stellar writing from the media. Now, back to "Health Minute" and Entertainment "News"

[@Mlogan11]

This is a very HEALTHY type of Capitalism where everyone is directly vested in the well being of the company and will both bear the costs as well as enjoy the profits. Capitalism can be win-win if done the right way.

[@ThatOneGuyFromSchool]

Is this not "Socialism"? Worked by the people, owned by the people?

[@RudieObias]

It’s called democratic socialism 😅

[@Mlogan11]

@@RudieObias Not really- that company isn't "socially owned". It's run by a limited collective as opposed to it being run by the State with all citizens having a portion of ownership.

[@Mlogan11]

What is your complaint? That they charge too much, or that the have a successful business operation? Do you have the same issue with Apple/Samsung charging so much for their phones? You don't believe in price/demand curves? Dominos charges around $30 for their specialty pizzas- so it's not even a nigh and day difference compared to the huge benefit difference.

[@lenblack1462]

No. It's the definition of Socialism. See, you have been lied to about Socialism being bad.

[@TheVinci19]

american pizzas alway make me sad, simply looking at them

[@frankmundo4300]

Its Italian American... blame the Italians for fking it up here in the usa

[@orion7741]

american pizza is the best pizza in the world. heck the actual best pizza in the world is made in Phoenix Arizona! chefs come from all over the world just to eat at his pizza place.

[@bennoble2049]

What happens when an employee doesn’t pull their own weight?

[@lopez8871]

Funny how the owner now makes the worker pay for their own salary ?a piece of the pie? The owner knows that prices are skyrocketing thats why he wants the employees to eat some of the cost of running a business!!!

[@KirkVartan]

Not really. But since you are not being serious, no need to respond.

[@Dwn2Race]

Lol... so the employees help the owner make money and then owner had his employees cash him out.... I wonder if he’s self financing the loan as well to earn interest off the employees.... great deal for the original owner! Making money on the Whole Deal... I have a feeling he’s also getting a salary from his employee!

[@KirkVartan]

Happy to discuss if you want. The business tradition is a sale...a real sale. The former order holds a note that is being paid as if it was a bank loan. The former owner still works there and has a salary. The former owner holds the same ownership share (%) as everyone else that is an owner. No need to sound skeptical. It is all above board and transparent. Any other concerns?

[@DavidMueller666]

THEY ARE NOT WEARING GLOVES WHEN PREPPING PIZZAS!

[@drstewart]

No one wears gloves when they prepare pizza. They wash their hands. Getting talc all over your food is gross.

[@DavidMueller666]

@@drstewart I WORE GLOVES WHEN I PREPARED PIZZAS AT DOMINOS AND AT PIZZA HUT EXPRESS. THERE ARE GLOVES AVAILABLE THAT DO NOT HAVE TALC ON THEM.

[@drstewart]

@@DavidMueller666 CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOU. BE VERY PROUD OF IT. DOESN'T MEAN THAT IS EVERYONE'S EXPERIENCE NOR IS IT CORPORATE POLICY, WHICH IS SUBJECT TO LOCAL REGULATIONS. YOU WORKED THERE SO YOU KNOW HOW LOCAL FOOD REGULATION LAWS WORK, RIGHT? YOU KNOW THAT DIFFERENT LOCALITIES HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS?

[@DavidMueller666]

@@drstewart AI ROBOTS WILL SOON MAKE THIS CONTROVERSY MOOT.

[@drstewart]

@@DavidMueller666 THERE IS NO CONTROVERSY AND YOU SHOULD REALLY GET BACK ON YOUR MEDS

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

You want great New York style pizza in California? Go eat a burrito instead 😂

[@dadbodmascot]

As a New Yorker, the pies looks disgusting but this is awesome to hear.

[@alexcarter8807]

Come by sometime - the whole strip mall there is disgusting too!

[@dadbodmascot]

@@alexcarter8807 Love to hear it! And thanks for the invite. Whenever I’m in town I’ll definitely pull up. I’ll inquire about you as well.

[@KirkVartan]

As a New Yorker, I think I should mention you forgot to put your glasses on. I don't know where you grew up, but this shop could have been in my neighborhood growing up. In fact, it as modeled after mine.

[@cristobal2GR]

id stick to little caesars 5 dollar pizza

[@DarkPesco]

Nasty "pizza". Of course it's only 5 bucks!

[@shadowX316]

uhh shouldn't they be wearing gloves when handling ingredients? I worked in kitchen and even at one time a pizza place for 2 years... pretty sure you're supposed to use gloves at least in Cali you are. Not saying their hands are dirty, but bacteria sticks onto the skin much easier.

[@ericsmith4032]

For raw items like salads sure. Pretty sure bacteria doesn't survive 450-550°F temps though.

[@orion7741]

no. using gloves actually spreads MORE germs and bacteria because people do not wash their hands as much. it is MUCH MUCH cleaner and safer to not wear gloves and wash your hands more. most health departments actually recommend that people do not use single use gloves.

[@KirkVartan]

Like @orion7741 said, gloves desensitize you.

[@iNdUsTrIaLrOcKeR4U]

How many pizzas must be sold each day? To pay for the rent, the employee's salary and other overhead to keep the business thriving. Consider the cost to bake the pizzas. Lighting too. One hiccup could be too many, then gone.

[@iNdUsTrIaLrOcKeR4U]

Fairy tales are fairy tales.

[@frankmundo4300]

Pizza has very high margins flour can be stored for a long time 😊

[@D.Rothchild]

Gotta sell like 100 a day at $20 a pop to fund the whole thing

[@iNdUsTrIaLrOcKeR4U]

@@frankmundo4300 The cost of doing business still costs. Live on flour for a year.

[@Zero11_ss]

They might own the location since its been around so long. Plenty of pizza gets sold in a city every day. This can easily work.

[@Oliverius1702]

Every marxist, socialist, communist, and what have you: *And so the era of coops begin*

[@Lousasshol]

Sounds sketch lol

[@iNdUsTrIaLrOcKeR4U]

Call me an analogy. Why does she desire to show her shoulders and arms? What is sensuality to you? To be adored about the human body. NOT Modesty called Holiness. The demons are quite active on Earth. A thief can see.

[@AdamchristianChambers2017]

😮This business will be destroyed soon there's certain rules in life and they don't like it if you go against it

[@DimethylDimension]

What? Please explain?

[@sandpiperr]

Who's they?

[@AdamchristianChambers2017]

​@@sandpiperr you know who they are i prefer this positive stuff but when you try to have your own company trying to change the system your in big trouble and I am not even from Yankee land it's so sad what has happened to your country

[@sandpiperr]

@@AdamchristianChambers2017 No I don't. Tell me. Why are you afraid to say what you mean?

[@ritzharris1303]

Always that one negative person. I'm sure you live a sad life, I feel bad for you.