CEO Stories: The Ripple Effect of Doing Good

London Calling

The path to MOD Pizza began with coffee. Scott and Ally Svenson had been living in London while Scott served as a healthcare executive. Ally noticed the U.K. lacked Seattle-style shops so popular in the U.S. They decided to open some. Marketing consultants suggested they use the obvious name: Seattle Coffee Company.

Special Blend

During the next three years the chain opened dozens of shops across the U.K., in the Middle East, South Africa and Southeast Asia. They eventually accepted an offer from Starbucks, with the South Africa unit of Seattle Coffee Company remaining independent. When their entrepreneurial appetite resurfaced, they wanted to take something that worked well abroad and apply it to the U.S.

The “Mod Era”

This turned out to be customized, artisanal pizza restaurants. The Svensons were fond of the 1950s and 1960s “mod era” in the U.K., and wanted to infuse their new venture, MOD Pizza, with that spirit. The name can refer to the mod era, or can be interpreted to mean modernization, or even allowing customers to modify pizzas.

Fresh Starts

Now the chain has more than 230 shops and employs nearly 5,800 people. But it’s people who set MOD Pizza apart. The Svensons hire people with tough backgrounds, whether from legal violations or simply needing a lucky break. MOD Pizza is so committed to doing good while doing well that the couple’s sons have been managed by these workers. It’s changed their children’s perspectives on work and community.