Father and son teams in business are nothing new. But how about father and son – and father and son? That’s right, times two. That’s the team behind PizzaRev, a fast-growing Valley restaurant chain set to open a Woodland Hills outlet next month, its third since it was established a little over a year ago. Irv Zuckerman, 64, one of the founders, said that making it a family affair has worked to the company’s advantage. “We’re all very opinionated,” he said. “What comes out of it is a great idea.” The small chain with about 50 employees got its start when Zuckerman’s longtime business colleague Rodney Eckerman, 57, suggested opening a restaurant to keep them busy. The retired friends had worked in the concert and events business. Eckerman had gotten the idea from his son, Nicholas, who suggested a quality pizza place with moderate prices. The two men pooled their money and opened their first restaurant seven months later, in Northridge. A second opened five months later in Studio City. Key to operations are Nicholas Eckerman, 31, the chain’s chief operating officer, and Zuckerman’s son, Jeff, 34, chief marketing officer. Nicholas Eckerman left his job in hotel management at Malibu Beach Inn, and Jeff Zuckerman left his work booking talent for concerts in order to work at PizzaRev. “What’s been great for me is seeing how the four of our individual skills come into play,” Nicholas Eckerman said. PizzaRev offers 11-inch pizzas that sell at a flat rate of $7.95, for as little as one topping to as many as the customer wants. Customers choose similarly to a Chipotle Mexican Grill, and pizzas are cooked within minutes in an extreme-temperature oven. Competitors include Pitfire Artisan Pizza of Venice, which has a North Hollywood location. Jeff Zuckerman was close with his father, but said the experience has given him an even better appreciation. “I had never really firsthand known how sharp and shrewd (his) instincts are when it comes to business,” – Bailey Brewer
Four Topping Fast-Growing Pizza Chain
