Building Community and Connection in Business with Carl Comeaux
Community is often talked about as a brand value, but for many businesses it becomes an afterthought once growth accelerates.At the same time, customers, employees, and franchise partners are craving real connection more than ever, places where they feel seen, welcomed, and part of something bigger than a transaction.
In this episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, we sit down with Carl Comeaux, CEO of Crust Pizza Co., to explore how building community and connection can become a powerful business advantage, not just a feel-good idea.
Carl shares practical insights on:
• How intentional community building fuels sustainable franchise growth
• Creating spaces where customers and teams genuinely belong
• Leading franchise partners through connection, trust, and shared values
• Why culture, care, and consistency matter just as much as unit economics
🎙️ Hosted by Stephen Sakach and Mike Liwski
🎧 Produced by Tullio Siragusa
Community is not something you market after the fact. It is something you build into how you lead, how you serve, and how you grow.
CEO
Carl Comeaux is the CEO of Crust Pizza Co., a fast-growing limited-service pizza chain that
has redefined the local pizzeria experience. Known for its inviting interior design inspired by
classic Chicago elements, Crust Pizza locations feature old Chicago brick, light wood
accents, and industrial touches like open ceilings and exposed stainless-steel ductwork.
With comfortable booths perfect for family outings or date nights and a fenced patio where
kids can play while adults unwind, Crust Pizza caters to everyone.
With over 22 years of leadership experience, Carl has led Crust Pizza Co.'s transformation
from a small local pizzeria to a rapidly expanding franchise with 29 open locations, 9 in
development and aims to reach 250 locations across the Southeast U.S. within the next
nine years. Under Carl's leadership, Crust Pizza Co. has achieved impressive milestones,
including an average unit volume (AUV) of $1.65 million, the development of proprietary
technology systems, a 10% reduction in cost of goods, and strategic vendor partnerships to
enhance brand efficiency. Additionally, Carl has successfully built and scaled two
franchises before Crust Pizza Co., showcasing his proven expertise in the industry.
Carl is known for his motivational, strategic leadership style and his hands-on approach to
scaling concepts from infancy to franchise success. He believes in building a strong team
and putting the right people in the right roles to drive growth. Carl has shared his insights
on industry panels, focusing on… Read More
