Ever wondered what happens behind the counter at Freshslice Pizza? How do we create those delicious, affordable pizzas that Canadians have come to love? Today, we're pulling back the curtain to give you an inside look at a typical day in one of our busy locations. From early morning prep to late-night deliveries, here's what goes into making your favorite Freshslice pizzas.
5:30 AM: Early Birds Get the Dough
While most of our customers are still sleeping, our morning prep team arrives to begin the day's most crucial task: dough preparation. Making perfect pizza dough is both an art and a science, requiring precise measurements, careful handling, and—most importantly—time.
At Freshslice, we make our dough fresh daily using a proprietary recipe that's been refined over decades. The morning begins with our dough master mixing flour, water, yeast, olive oil, and a pinch of salt in our industrial mixers. The exact proportions are a closely guarded secret, but what's no secret is our commitment to consistency.
Once mixed, the dough needs time to rise. This proofing process is essential for developing the perfect texture—crisp on the outside, light and airy on the inside. While the dough rises, our team begins prepping the day's fresh ingredients.
7:00 AM: Ingredient Prep Begins
Fresh ingredients make for great pizza, and preparing them properly takes time. Our morning team carefully washes and slices vegetables, portions meats, and prepares our signature sauce.
Quality control happens at every step. Vegetables that don't meet our standards don't make it onto our pizzas. Cheese is carefully measured to ensure the perfect melt. Every ingredient is dated and stored at precise temperatures to maintain freshness.
"Most people don't realize how much preparation happens before we even open our doors. There's a full morning of work that goes into making sure we're ready to serve that first slice." — Maria, Store Manager
Fresh ingredients being prepped for the day's pizzas
9:30 AM: Systems Check
Before opening, our team checks all equipment to ensure everything is functioning properly. Our ovens need to reach precise temperatures to cook pizzas perfectly. Refrigeration units are inspected to verify they're maintaining food safety standards. The point-of-sale system is tested to ensure smooth transactions.
It's also time to check our online ordering systems. At Freshslice, we've embraced technology to make ordering easier for our customers. Our responsive website and mobile ordering capabilities allow customers to place orders from any device. The morning team ensures these systems are operational and synchronized with our in-store systems.
10:00 AM: Doors Open
As we open our doors, the first customers of the day usually arrive. Often, they're looking for an early lunch or placing advance orders for later. Our front-of-house team warmly greets each customer while the kitchen staff prepares for the day's first rush.
Pre-opening tasks continue in the background. The dough that's been proofing is now divided and shaped into balls that will later become pizza crusts. Each ball is carefully weighed to ensure consistent size and stored to continue developing flavor until needed.
11:30 AM - 1:30 PM: Lunch Rush
The lunch rush transforms our stores into a whirlwind of coordinated activity. This is when our slice service really shines. At Freshslice, we're known for our affordable pizza slices – perfect for a quick lunch – and during these peak hours, we ensure a variety of fresh slices are always available.
Behind the counter, it's a carefully choreographed dance. One team member stretches dough into perfect circles, another applies sauce in a spiraling motion to ensure even coverage. Toppings are applied according to recipes, with cheese carefully distributed for optimal melting. Meanwhile, others are handling the ovens, ensuring each pizza receives the right amount of time at the right temperature.
At the front counter, our team manages a constant flow of customers, ringing up orders, serving slices, and preparing drinks and sides. Online orders print automatically in the kitchen, where they're quickly assembled and cooked to perfection.
Our delivery drivers are also in constant motion during this period, ensuring hot pizzas reach their destinations quickly. Using efficient routing and insulated delivery bags, we maintain our quality standards even when the pizza is enjoyed miles from our store.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Afternoon Reset
As the lunch rush subsides, it's time to reset for dinner. This relatively quieter period allows us to restock ingredients, prepare additional dough if needed, and handle deep cleaning tasks that aren't possible during peak hours.
It's also a time for training and team development. New employees often shadow experienced staff during these hours, learning our procedures and quality standards. At Freshslice, we believe in continuous improvement, so even veteran team members regularly review techniques and procedures.
The afternoon is also when we prepare for special orders. If a large order is coming in for dinner or an event, this is when we ensure we have all necessary ingredients prepped and ready.
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner Rush
The evening brings our second major rush of the day. While lunch tends to feature more individual customers seeking slices, dinner sees more whole pizza orders and family meals.
Our combo deals are particularly popular during this time. Families appreciate the value of our meal combinations, which include pizzas, drinks, and sides at affordable prices. These orders require coordination across all stations – pizza assembly, oven management, and packaging.
Online orders peak during the dinner rush, with many customers ordering from work for home delivery or picking up on their way home. Our responsive mobile website makes this process seamless, allowing customers to customize their orders and schedule pickup or delivery times.
The Magic of Our Ovens
During peak times, our ovens are at the heart of the operation. We use specialized pizza ovens that maintain consistent temperatures and provide even cooking. A perfectly cooked Freshslice pizza has a crisp bottom, fully melted cheese, and toppings that are hot but not burnt. Achieving this balance requires both technical knowledge and experience.
Our oven operators constantly monitor cooking pizzas, rotating them if necessary to ensure even cooking. They've developed an almost intuitive sense of when a pizza is done to perfection, often knowing by sight before the timer even sounds.
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Evening Service
As the dinner rush tapers off, we transition to evening service. This period often brings in students studying late, people returning from evening activities, and those looking for a convenient dinner option.
Late evening is also when we see more delivery orders, particularly from residential areas. Our delivery team continues to ensure hot, fresh pizzas reach our customers' doors promptly.
Throughout the evening, our team continues preparing fresh slices to meet demand. One of the hallmarks of Freshslice is our commitment to freshness – we'd rather make smaller batches more frequently than have slices sitting under heat lamps for extended periods.
10:00 PM: Closing Procedures Begin
As we approach closing time, our team begins end-of-day procedures while continuing to serve late customers. Cleaning is a critical part of our operation, with every surface, utensil, and piece of equipment thoroughly sanitized daily.
Inventory is counted and recorded, with orders placed for any ingredients running low. Our digital inventory system helps track usage patterns, allowing us to minimize waste while ensuring we never run out of popular items.
The day's sales are reconciled, with data flowing into our management systems for analysis. This information helps us optimize staffing, predict busy periods, and identify popular items for future promotions.
11:00 PM: Doors Close (But Work Continues)
After our last customer leaves, the final cleaning and preparation for the next day begins in earnest. Floors are mopped, surfaces sanitized, and equipment given a thorough cleaning. Dough preparation areas are meticulously cleaned to prevent cross-contamination.
The closing manager performs final checks, ensuring everything is properly stored, equipment is turned off, and the store is secure. They also prepare notes for the opening team, highlighting any issues or special requirements for the next day.
The Freshslice Difference
Throughout this entire process, several key principles set Freshslice apart:
Fresh Ingredients
We don't just have "fresh" in our name – it's fundamental to our approach. From dough made daily to vegetables prepared in-store, freshness is non-negotiable.
Value-Focused
We believe great pizza shouldn't break the bank. Our efficient operations and smart purchasing allow us to offer competitive prices without compromising quality.
Technology Integration
Our responsive website and digital ordering systems make it easy for customers to order exactly what they want, when they want it, from any device.
Team Development
Many of our store managers started as team members. We believe in developing talent and promoting from within, creating a culture of opportunity and growth.
The People Behind Your Pizza
Perhaps the most important element of a day at Freshslice is the team that makes it all happen. From dough makers to delivery drivers, each person plays a vital role in creating the Freshslice experience.
Our teams are diverse, reflecting the communities we serve across Canada. Many team members are students working part-time, while others are career food service professionals. What unites them is a commitment to quality and service.
Each Freshslice location develops its own unique culture while maintaining our core standards and values. Visit different locations and you'll notice the same quality and service delivered with local flavor.
Conclusion: Every Slice Tells a Story
The next time you enjoy a slice of Freshslice Pizza, remember the journey it took to reach you. From early morning dough preparation to careful ingredient selection, from precise cooking to prompt delivery – every step reflects our commitment to providing delicious, affordable pizza to our Canadian customers.
We hope this behind-the-scenes look has given you a new appreciation for the craft and care that goes into each Freshslice pizza. Whether you're ordering through our responsive website for delivery or stopping by for a quick slice, know that an entire team of dedicated professionals worked together to make your pizza perfect.
Thank you for being part of the Freshslice story. We look forward to serving you again soon!
