
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
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