Dana Hokin – Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co.
CEO & Co-founder
Chicago, Illinois
(This Q&A is part of a series about pizzerias’ New Year’s resolutions. To read other operators’ resolutions, click here.)
What are your top three goals for your pizza restaurant in the coming year?
At Robert’s Pizza, our resolutions for the year ahead center around sustainability: of our people, our culture and our business.
Sustaining Our Staff
We’ll continue to promote from within and invest in ongoing training and development, so our team members can build long-term careers with us.
Sustaining Our Culture
We plan to memorialize and regularly update our best practices and SOPs to strengthen our culture, ensure consistency and support our team as we grow.
Sustaining Our Profitability
We will focus on expanding incremental markets, specifically catering and lunchtime business, to increase market share and drive healthy, sustainable growth.
How do you plan to improve business operations and profitability in 2026?
In 2026, our strategy centers on growing incremental revenue channels like lunch and catering. We plan to invest in systems, marketing and operational efficiency to support that growth. Strengthening these segments allows us to improve overall profitability without compromising the quality or experience our guests expect.
How do you plan to stay competitive in a crowded market?
We stay competitive by staying true to who we are: delivering great food on a delicious crust at a reasonable price with excellent service. Consistency and quality remain our differentiators. Beyond the food, we remain deeply engaged with our community. Our seasonal events, partnerships and ongoing involvement keep us connected to our guests and reinforce our role as a local staple. In a crowded market, authenticity and community presence matter. We’re committed to both.
