70 years old and 'restarting': Shakey’s Pizza VP outlines fresh strategy for expansion

70 years old and 'restarting': Shakey’s Pizza VP outlines fresh strategy for expansion

From Pizza Marketplace Podcast by Networld Media Group

June 10, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

Mandy Detwiler interviews Sonia Barajas-Najera about Shakey's Pizza's new expansion strategy and flagship location.

In this episode of the Pizza Marketplace podcast, host Mandy Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace, chats with Sonia Barajas-Najera, vice president of franchise administration for Shakey's Pizza. Shakey's began franchising in the 1950s shortly after it was founded. After a number of ownership changes, the brand currently has 43 units. There's a new flagship in Culver City that took two years to design and create, Barajas-Najera said, and has been well received by consumers who enjoy the resta...

People in this episode

Host: Mandy Detwiler

Guest: Sonia Barajas-Najera

Topics covered

  • franchising
  • restaurant strategy
  • business expansion
  • consumer reception
  • brand history

Keywords

  • Shakey's Pizza
  • franchising
  • expansion strategy
  • restaurant design
  • consumer feedback

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Shakey's Pizza

Places: Culver City

More episodes of Pizza Marketplace Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Pizza Marketplace Podcast podcast page.