Tell us what you do (or what your team or organization does) and the specific challenge you faced. While studying abroad in Paris in 1987, I was intrigued by the flocks of Parisians who gathered daily at crepe stands throughout the city for a delicious gourmet meal-to-go. I foresaw demand in the U.

Name: Todd Parent. Occupation: Founder and CEO of Extreme Pizza, a $5 million company. Age and home: 37, San Francisco. Employees: 150, including 100 full-time, in California, Colorado, and Arizona. What's so "extreme" about it? In 1994, Parent founded the 15-store chain to sell

Delivery or dine-in, takeout or take-and-bake, pizza long ago cemented its place in American dining. Last year alone, the segment generated more than $25 billion in U.S. sales at 64,500-plus units, according to Chicago-based market-research firm Technomic Inc. Always among the industry’s mos

Delivery or dine-in, takeout or take-and-bake, pizza long ago cemented its place in American dining. Last year alone, the segment generated more than $25 billion in U.S. sales at 64,500-plus units, according to Chicago-based market-research firm Technomic Inc. Always among the industry's most

Riding Mavericks, scaling Yosemite's Half Dome, snowboarding Alaska's Chugach Mountain Range they're all considered a bit extreme, and they share a common theme with one of the city's newest pizzerias. Extreme Pizza, whose owners raced to open at the Pike at Rainbow Harbor in time

C'mon, I had to say it, both for the pun and for the pizza. But it's true. One look at their menu, and you'll spend an "extreme" amount of time just trying to decide what to order. They cover the pizza base "extremely" well, and are smart marketers, too. Combination pizza

Tell us what you do (or what your team or organization does) and the specific challenge you faced. Nine years ago, I started Extreme Pizza with the idea to bring a healthier and more gourmet alternative to typical American “fast food.” I wanted this company to distinguish itself from the