Discover the Story Behind Cleveland’s Famous Pizza Bagels

Meet Terry Thomsen, the proud owner of the beloved Pizza Bagel Lady stand at Cleveland’s historic Westside Market. For over 30 years, Terry has delighted both locals and visitors with her famous Pizagels, crafted with locally sourced ingredients. These unique bagels, topped with a mild tomato sauce and a secret mozzarella-provolone cheese blend, have garnered praise from major food channels like the Food Network, Cooking Channel, and MSNBC, as well as culinary enthusiasts like Burger Bob.

Join us as we explore the story behind the legendary pizza bagels and the journey of the remarkable woman who made them an iconic Cleveland treat.

Inspiration Behind Pizagel

SBS – What inspired you to create a product that combines pizza and bagels?

Terry – It all started with an opportunity at the Westside Market. Additionally, a mid-life crisis played a part in inspiring me to create the Pizagel.

Challenges in Launching Pizagel

SBS – What were the biggest challenges you faced when launching Pizagel?

Terry – The biggest challenges were finding a location for production and acquiring the necessary machinery.

Target Market Identification

SBS – How did you identify your target market for pizza bagels?

Terry – Pizagels are for anyone who enjoys a quick, fun, and easy snack. We find that people of all ages love them once they taste them.

Effective Marketing Strategies

SBS – What marketing strategies have proven most effective in promoting Pizagel?

Terry – Starting the business at the Westside Market allowed us to say, “30 years at the Westside Market,” which resonates with people. Being a long-term established business has been a key marketing strategy.

Key Partnerships and Collaborations

SBS – Can you share any key partnerships or collaborations that have contributed to your success?

Terry – Over the years, we’ve been featured on several national food channels, including MSNBC. Additionally, being considered “Cleveland Famous” helps attract tourists who visit Cleveland.

Ensuring Quality and Consistency

SBS – How do you ensure the quality and consistency of your pizza bagels?

Terry – We have established manufacturing practices in place to ensure quality and consistency.

Role of Customer Feedback

SBS – What role does customer feedback play in your product development?

Terry – Initially, customer feedback was crucial in perfecting our recipe. Now, we have a patent on the Pizagel, and the product is well-established.

Production and Logistics Management

SBS – How do you manage production and logistics for both food service and retail customers?

Terry – We focus primarily on Pizagel production and use distributors to supply the product to foodservice and retail customers.

Advice for Food Entrepreneurs

SBS – What advice would you give to entrepreneurs looking to enter the food industry with a unique product?

Terry – My advice is that it is not a short-term business. It takes time to establish your brand. The product should speak for itself.

Popular Pizza Bagel Flavors

SBS – What are some of the most popular flavors or varieties of pizza bagels among your customers?

Terry – Pepperoni is always a hit among our customers.

Adapting to Food Industry Trends

SBS – How do you stay ahead of trends and adapt to changes in the food industry?

Terry – We adapt by offering various Pizagel options, including dairy-free, plant-based, and vegan varieties.

Future Plans for Pizagel

SBS – What are your future plans for Pizagel, and how do you envision growing the brand further?

Terry – We are expanding into K-12 schools and universities, which will help us grow the brand further.