The Back Story

I am the Founder and President of Caliente Pizza & Draft House in Pittsburgh, PA. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, I opened our first Caliente location in the Fall of 2012 and have rapidly expanded our operations to five destinations throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Region. When not grinding and working towards conquering my next big goal, I love relaxing and spending quality time with my family. It’s important to balance all of life’s endeavors.

My journey in the pizza industry started as a delivery driver in 1996. I fell in love with the team atmosphere and high energy that the pizza business provides. I worked my way through many levels of corporate pizza chains, always keeping my eye on the prize: to one day open my own independent store.

From the very beginning, I focused on absorbing corporate structures, procedures, and business financial systems – all assets that helped me grow my enterprise successfully today. I love the freedom an independent operation provides for company decision making. I consider myself a motivating leader and team builder and have grown my company to over 250 employees by showcasing one solid philospohy: leading by example.

Our creative, dedicated team at Caliente have won numerous awards in the industry, including World Championships at the International Pizza Expo in 2016, 2017, and 2018. We also brought home the title of Best American Pizza at the World Pizza Championships in Parma, Italy in April of 2019. Our continued success earned me a coveted spot as part of the International Pizza Expo’s family of speakers.

As my pizza empire was taking off, I realized the value craft beer could bring to our brand. Each Caliente location boasts over 20 taps and a bottle selection of over 150 beers. We specialize in hard-to-source craft beers from across the country and around the globe. We’ve also taken our dedication to quality artisanal beer to new levels by collaborating with various breweries in our backyard and beyond, the end result being exclusive products available only at the brewery itself and each Caliente location. We’ve had the honor of traveling to breweries including Strange Roots, Spoonwood, Hoppin’ Frog, and others to bring special recipes to life and proudly pour them for our thirsty customers.

I believe in giving back. To the pizza industry and to other entrepreneurs looking to forge their own path in whatever niche sparks their passion. I released my first book, The Pizza Equation, in March of 2019 and its success has fueled my desire to help professionals at all points in their journey – which I do on my weekly podcast, The Business Equation. Each episode features tips, insights, and stories from business professionals who have walked the walk in their respective fields. Our collective goal is to give you the tools to solve your own personal business equation and find the personal and professional success you deserve!

I strive to meet goals daily by emphasizing a commitment to excellence, focus, and positive vibes. My wife, Angie, has been my biggest supporter and is proud to be a ‘Pizza Wife for Life!’ My incredible son and daughter have grown up in the industry and have taken a keen interest in the business. It won’t be long until you discover their success stories, too.

About The Pizza Equation

If you’re an entrepreneur who enjoys the restaurant industry and are looking to build an enterprise with pizza, this book is for you. It slices up the most important aspects of operating a pizza business and serves them all to you in one hot, handy guide.

DID YOU KNOW: Americans consume an average of 350 pizza slices every second! With three billion pizzas sold in the U.S. every year, it’s a business model that’s here to stay.

Internationally award-winning Pizza Champion Nick Bogacz’s passion for pizza began with his first job as a delivery boy in 1996. Follow his meteoric rise through corporate chain pizza franchises and subsequent 2012 venture into owning five independent stores. Nick’s expertise has gained him critical acclaim from pizza aficionados and industry leaders. In these pages, you’ll benefit from Nick’s ingenuity and industry insights as he boxes up what he’s learned through hard work and a philosophy that “no matter what, I will not fail.” His strategies will help you craft your own recipe for success and stand out in the pizza-tossing crowd.

Click Here to Get Your Copy of The Pizza Equation

2013

• Best New Pizza Restaurant – voted by WPXI TV Pittsburgh

2015

• Best Pizza in Bloomfield – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
• Best Bar in Pittsburgh – Thrillist
  
• Best Late Night Eats (for our Cheesy Bread) – Thrillist
  
• Best Pizza in the City – Gold – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
• Named Rogue Brewery’s Pittsburgh Embassy
• Best Breweries, Brewpubs and Beer Bars – Mid-Atlantic Beer Lovers
  

2016

• Best Pan Pizza in the World – International Pizza Expo
• Best Pittsburgh Bar with Best Late Night or Anytime Eats – Thrillist
  
• Best Pizza in the City – Gold – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
• Best Pizza In the North Hills – Gold – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
• Best Hoagies in the North Hills – Gold – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review

2017

• 1^st place East Division Traditional Pizza – International Pizza Expo
• 1^st place East Division Non-Traditional Pizza – International Pizza Expo
• Best Pizza in Pittsburgh – Gold – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
• Best Wings in the City – Gold – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
• Best Pizza in Bloomfield – Gold – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
• Best Pizza in the North Hills – Gold – Readers’ Choice Awards, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
• Named to Pizza Today’s Hot 100 Independent Restaurants

2018

• Best Non-Traditional Pizza in the World – International Pizza Expo
• Named to Pizza Today’s Hot 100 Independent Restaurants

2019

My Profile on World Pizza Champions
Pizza Today – A Conversation with Nick Bogacz of Caliente Pizza & Draft House
Restaurant Unstoppable: Pizza Shops, Third-Party Delivery Apps, Efficient Expansion
Pittsburgh’s Caliente Pizza & Draft House Donate Pies to Light of Life
Personalities of Pittsburgh: Nick Bogacz’s Love of Pizza Kept Bringing Him Back
The Pizza Equation Delivers Wise Business Lessons
How I Turned My Hobby Into a Career w/ Nick Bogacz of Caliente Pizza & Draft House
Nick Bogacz – From Delivery Driver to World Pizza Champion
Hampton Couple Turned Passion For Pizza Into Caliente Empire
The Secret Ingredient In Your Marketing: Direct Mail with Mail Shark
They Found Love In a Pizza Place: Angie and Nick Bogacz
Pittsburgh-based Pizza Restaurant Travels the Globe to Win Industry Accolades
Caliente Pizza & Draft House Owner’s Book No Half-Baked Idea
‘Do We Release the New Menu?’ Despite COVID-19, Restaurant Owner Says ‘Yes’
How to Hire and Retain Employees

“I was privileged to meet Nick and members of Caliente Pizza & Draft House years ago at a pizza competition. I was immediately impressed by their prowess in the pizza kitchen, as well as their funloving attitudes. Since then, I have witnessed Nick and his staff continually challenge themselves to be better every year. Winning trophies from numerous national pizza competitions is one thing, but it’s also how Nick and his team relate to the industry. Nick is one of the best out there— approachable, knowledgeable and always raising the bar for independent pizzeria owners. He has secured his place on the pizza scene as a successful pizzaiolo in both the kitchen and office. Growing his restaurants to new heights and with great success, I am very excited to see what the future holds for Caliente. I am honored to call him a friend and colleague.” — Brian Hernandez, Test Chef for Pizza Marketing Quarterly Magazine and US Pizza Team Director

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“Nick’s business vision has made him an accomplished name in the pizza industry. His story and his many successes inspire pizzaiolos everywhere.” — Scott Anthony, World Pizza Champion, Author, Consultant, and Owner of Punxy Pizza