Matt Winters has worked in the restaurant industry for 23 years.
A longtime friend he met in the business, Jason Goetz, had become a Stoner’s Pizza Joint franchise owner and kept talking to him about taking that step.
“I decided to give it a try,” Winters said. “I wanted to gamble on myself.”
That gamble is opening Bradenton’s newest pizzeria. Stoner’s Pizza Joint, which was founded in 2013 in Texas, began an expansion process in July, according to a news release.
The company announced it would increase its locations from 40 to 100 in 18 months. There are two locations in Hillsborough County.
And the most recent Florida expansion is in Bradenton, where a new store opened in January.
“I’ve had some signage up for a while, so everyone that has come in has been really excited,” Winters, owner of the new Stoner’s said.
Inside the pizzeria, there are playful references to the company’s “stoner” branding, including large text on the walls that read, “Legalize marinara” and “Get baked.”
Winters said nothing is frozen, the dough is made daily and they use fresh ingredients.
“We have a propriety dough recipe, sauces, cheese blends and offer a few specialty pizzas,” he said.
Aside from pizzas, Stoner’s features calzones, strombolis, hickory-smoked chicken wings, salads and desserts.
Large text on the walls reads, “Legalize marinara” and “Get baked.” Read More
