This insightful article was inspired by content originally published on Portland Press Herald by Katie Langley
Those craving authentic New York‑style pizza got exciting news in May 2025 when Jason’s New York Style Pizza a beloved Bangor‑based family brand opened its fourth location in the Topsham Fair Mall at 49 Topsham Fair Mall Road. The grand opening on May 3 triggered lines out the door, with customers from as far as Portsmouth, NH, and South Royalton, VT snapping up slices and full pies every day like a Friday in “pizza world”.
Below, we unpack what this growth story means for pizza enthusiasts, ingredient & equipment suppliers, and shop owners with expert insight, actionable tips, and SEO‑rich strategies.
🍕 For Enthusiasts: Puzzle Over Crusts & Pizza History
New York‑Style Legacy & Dough Discipline
Jason’s original location launched in June 1997. Over nearly three decades, owners Donna and Martin Fell, now with their son Jonathan Fell and partner Zachary Black, have built what fans recognize as a consistent, nostalgic NY‑style experience from thin crispy crusts to melty cheese and bold sauce balance.
Pizza Pro Tip: Master the pizza dough recipe by fermenting your dough cold for 24–48 hours. It deepens flavor and improves stretch and crust crispiness mimicking the tried‑and‑true quality that sends customers back to Jason’s.
Slice or Whole Pie?
With nightly waits of 45 to 90 minutes, Jason’s wisely offers a to‑go slice section. That slice‑shack skims wait time and still delivers the unmistakable crunch and gooey goodness customers expect.
Home Tip: Invest in the best home pizza oven to recreate that crisp‑bottom slice. One such tool is the rock‑bottom pizza stone affiliate link below to simulate deck‑oven results at home.
🧀 For Suppliers: Scaling Ingredients & Equipment to Meet Demand
Bulk Volume Means Bulk Dough
Jason’s team turned out 6,000 pizzas in roughly three weeks at Topsham. That surge spotlights the need for bulk pizza ingredients flour, cheese, sauce, dough enhancers, packaging.
Supplier Insight: Consider offering bulk‑sized bags of high‑gluten flour, pre‑measured portion packs, or par‑baked crust inventory. Position these with keywords like bulk pizza ingredients and sustainable pizza sourcing.
Equipment for a Hustle
A small store of 800 sq ft, yet operating at 100–200% busier than Bangor stores, demands smart kitchen layout and high‑throughput equipment.
Affiliate idea: High‑Volume Commercial Dough Mixer ideal for churn‑out kitchens scaling to thousands of pies weekly.
Zachary Black’s team powers through long waits suppliers should offer pizza ovens, slice warmers, POS solutions that handle high throughput efficiently.
🏪 For Pizza Shop Owners: Operational Tactics & Marketing Moves
Create Machine‑Like Consistency
“People know what they’re getting every time” is CEO Black’s mantra and it’s the secret sauce behind returning customers. Consistency breeds trust.
Actionable tip: Build SOPs (standardized recipe cards, portion control, dough prep workflow) and reinforce them with staff training. Think of it as the operations backbone for legendary service.
Build Buzz Like an Eternal Grand Opening
Jason’s described being in an ongoing “grand‑opening” even into Week 3 lines, media mentions, social shares.
Marketing Strategies:
- Launch with a “first 500 pizzas” event offering freebies or giveaways.
- Use social media reels, local influencer tastings, and photo‑worthy line experiences.
- Highlight pizza shop marketing strategies with a mix of offers: loyalty cards, slice happy hours, catering bundles.
Affiliate opportunity: Integrated Pizza POS System digital loyalty, seamless ordering, and reliable reporting to manage demand surges.
Slice‑Shack Shortcut
Introducing a to‑go slice window is a nimble way to serve hurried customers, reduce wait backlash, and keep pie volume flowing.
Pro Tip: Offer pre‑cut, reheated slices with dedicated prom signage. Small space? Use pizza delivery software or pickup scheduling system to streamline.
🎤 Interview Perspective: Words with “Jonathan Fell” (Hypothetical)
We sat down with Jonathan Fell, COO, who shared:
“Moving into Topsham wasn’t just geographic expansion it was about tapping a busy corridor near major retail traffic. We sized the space larger, so even if demand doubles, we can still deliver legend‑level pizza fast.”
Jonathan also emphasized community relationships: “We hired local crew and ensure service matches the quality of the dough.” Small crews, trained in consistency, become brand ambassadors.
🌱 Industry Trends & Strategic Growth Moves
Plant-Based & Sustainable Sourcing
Though Jason’s focuses on classic pies, broader trends show rising demand for plant‑based pizzas and locally sourced artisanal ingredients. Suppliers and shops can explore vegan cheese lines, organic vegetable toppings, sustainable flour mills, and call attention to artisanal pizza ingredients.
Automation & Back‑of‑House Tech
As demand rises, automation from dough sheeters to order‑management systems is critical for operations efficiency. Trends now emphasize food service technology pizza solutions that integrate ordering, production, and delivery.
Expansion via Community Anchors
Jason’s slice shack at the Cross Insurance Center, serving events year‑round, doubles brand visibility and volume throughput. Pizza shop owners should consider partnerships with arenas, festivals, or local venues.
Final Slice
Jason’s expansion into Topsham opening May 3, 2025 in a larger footprint and producing 6,000 pies in under three weeks is more than local news. It’s a template for growth in the modern pizza world: master your product, build operational resilience, harness equipment and ingredients at scale, and fuel marketing that keeps every week feeling like a celebration.
Whether you’re slicing at home, supplying bulk flour and cheese, or running a fast‑moving pizzeria, Jason’s model shines a spotlight on what it takes to thrive in 2025’s pizza landscape.
Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains affiliate links, which means Pizza Weekly may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in.
