From Corporate Cubicle to Pizza Perfection: How a 25-Year-Old Quit His Job to Start a Thriving Pizza Empire

Chris Brady left his tech sales job to launch Timber Pizza Co. with a friend, growing it to 9 locations in just a few years.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 7:56pm

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At 25, Chris Brady quit his corporate sales job to start a mobile wood-fired pizza business with his coworker Andrew Dana. With just $20,000 in startup capital, the pair launched Timber Pizza Co. in Washington, D.C., eventually expanding to 9 brick-and-mortar locations and 5 mobile units across the South. Despite challenges from the pandemic, Brady and Dana have continued to grow their pizza empire through franchising, aiming to open 5-8 new stores annually over the next few years.

Why it matters

Timber Pizza's rapid growth from a scrappy food truck to a multi-state franchise demonstrates the power of entrepreneurial spirit, adaptability, and a commitment to quality products. Brady's story inspires others to take a chance on their passions, even without extensive industry experience, and shows that small businesses can thrive by focusing on community, creativity, and delivering an exceptional customer experience.

The details

After getting inspired by a pizza business owner he met through his corporate sales job, Brady and Dana invested their life savings and a loan from Brady's father to launch Timber Pizza Co. in 2016. They started out serving wood-fired pies from a vintage Chevy pickup truck, building a loyal following through their fun, laid-back approach. Within a year, they opened their first brick-and-mortar location in Washington, D.C. The business continued growing, earning recognition from Bon Appétit and the Michelin Guide, until the pandemic hit in 2020. To stabilize the company, Brady and Dana brought on new partners and capital, shifting their focus to franchising. Since 2021, they've expanded Timber Pizza to 9 locations across the South, with plans to open 5-8 new stores annually over the next 3-5 years.

  • Brady quit his corporate job and co-founded Timber Pizza Co. in 2016 at age 25.
  • Timber Pizza opened its first brick-and-mortar location in Washington, D.C. in 2016.
  • Bon Appétit named Timber Pizza its "Pizzeria of the Year" in 2017.
  • Timber Pizza received its first Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide in 2019.
  • Brady and Dana brought on new partners and capital to stabilize the business in 2021, launching their franchising strategy.

The players

Chris Brady

The founder and president of Timber Pizza Co., who quit his corporate sales job at age 25 to start the business with his coworker.

Andrew Dana

Brady's coworker who co-founded Timber Pizza Co. with him after they both felt unfulfilled in their corporate jobs.

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What they’re saying

“Without the stress of running a brick-and-mortar business, I knew we could experiment without taking a big swing. The worst thing that would have happened is that I would have had to move back with my parents and get another sales job if it didn't work out.”

— Chris Brady, Founder and President, Timber Pizza Co.

“We started driving our 1967 baby-blue Chevy pickup truck, with our oven hitched behind, all around Washington, DC. Our goal was to make pizza people loved, not to take ourselves too seriously. We would ride around in basketball shorts blasting hip-hop music, just trying to have a good time. That definitely made us stand out.”

— Chris Brady, Founder and President, Timber Pizza Co.

What’s next

Brady and Dana plan to continue expanding Timber Pizza Co. through franchising, aiming to open 5-8 new locations per year over the next 3-5 years across markets like Atlanta, Savannah, Greenville, and Wilmington.

The takeaway

Timber Pizza's journey from a scrappy food truck to a thriving multi-state franchise demonstrates the power of entrepreneurial passion, adaptability, and a commitment to quality. Brady's story inspires others to take a chance on their dreams, even without extensive industry experience, and shows that small businesses can succeed by focusing on community, creativity, and delivering an exceptional customer experience.