DAVID DAVYDD MILLER
DoubleDave's Pizzaworks Founder
If you see Dave walking down the street, do not be intimidated by his size or fierce fashion sense. His towering height, eclectic style, and (at times) prickly demeanor may seem threatening, but it's all a facade. If you look closer you'll see a man with many colorful layers and shoes. Dave likes a good joke and a cold beer just like everybody else. He also enjoys painting, sculpting, collecting art, and picking up things on the side of the road.
In 1984, after years spent formulating a plan for the perfect pizza joint, David Davydd Miller started the first DoubleDave's Pizzaworks in College Station, TX. Dave concocted a recipe for the perfect crust, then had a flour mill blend a custom formula for what would become the foundation of the DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks brand. He found a cannery to do the same for a rich, fresh tomato-based pizza sauce, and rounded up folks with good upper body strength to roll out and sling pizza dough. He served it all up in a cozy little restaurant by campus, and the rest is history.
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Great place to be from; not a great place live. (Misspent)
First job: Copy boy at The Kansas City Star Newspaper.
Favorite DoubleDave's product: Philly Cheesesteak Stromboli.
Best advice you've ever gotten: Don't be so pushy.
The deal with your name: Both my parents had relatives named David and wanted to pass the name on to me, but they couldn't decide on the spelling. My mother preferred good old American "David", whereas my father wanted to honor his Welsh ancestry by using the Anglicized spelling of "Dafydd". In what would become my first lesson in compromise, they settled on David Davydd.
First job: Copy boy at The Kansas City Star Newspaper.
Favorite DoubleDave's product: Philly Cheesesteak Stromboli.
Best advice you've ever gotten: Don't be so pushy.
The deal with your name: Both my parents had relatives named David and wanted to pass the name on to me, but they couldn't decide on the spelling. My mother preferred good old American "David", whereas my father wanted to honor his Welsh ancestry by using the Anglicized spelling of "Dafydd". In what would become my first lesson in compromise, they settled on David Davydd.
CHUCK THORP
Chief Executive Officer
Chuck may not technically be a pirate, but he has amassed a handsome collection of doubloons (i.e. coins). Our treasure collecting C.E.O. gave rise from humble beginnings starting out as a delivery driver for DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks in 1988. In retrospect, he was clearly primed for corporate success having received a BS in Wildlife and Fishery Sciences from Texas A&M. Nowadays, besides running things at DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks headquarters, Chuck enjoys indulging in vices such as Grape G2, Peanut M&M's and wailing out on drums. His band, The Perilous Tide, has been known to “rock the house” at local Austin venues to the delight of women everywhere (albums available in both vinyl and CD).
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: I grew up in Temple, TX. We bought our eggs and milk from a farm in the country, and you had to drive 14 miles to buy liquor.
First job: I started two at the same time loading trucks at Dr. Pepper and pumping gas at Texaco, both in Temple. My first business venture (at the ripe old age of eight) involved running multiple lemonade stands during the summer. I did it for three summers in a row and made enough money to buy my first drum set.
Job description (nuts & bolts): General dealmaker, compliance officer, and commercial real estate negotiator with emphasis on recruiting, sales, purchasing, operations, and (most importantly) managing personality conflicts/disorders.
Favorite DoubleDave’s product: Stromboli (because it’s good, plus I created it). Favorite topping combo would have to be bacon and thinly sliced tomatoes.
Led Zeppelin or Queen: I cannot choose between these two. I’d take both to my desert Island. If I had to pick a favorite artist, it would probably be Brendon Benson.
JOEY BRAMWELL
Director of Operations
Meet Joey, our resident Billy Mays doppelganger and Ginger Ale enthusiast. An avid fan since birth, Joey began working for DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks in 1999 during his time at Texas A&M, and got his DoubleDave’s tattoo ten years later (thank you Las Vegas). He’s a California native turned southern gentleman, and all around handy man. Joey often puts his degree in Business Management to good use replacing refrigerator lights and repairing electric pencil sharpeners. Thanks Joey!
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: Manchaca (pronounced MAN-CHAK), TX
First job: Running a Fireworks Stand in Westlake (about three miles from the current DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks office)
Job description (nuts & bolts): Franchisee education and training, wheeling and dealing with contractors and vendors, opening new restaurants, product research and development.
Favorite DoubleDave’s product: Philly Cheesesteak Stromboli with onions
MacGyver or Chuck Norris: MacGyver because he could blow up Chuck Norris with a paperclip, a stick of Trident sugar-free gum, and a roll of camouflage duct tape. He’s one of my idols.
Wham! or Hall & Oates: I’m going to have to choose door #3 and say Journey, the greatest band on earth for all eternity.
CHRISTIE LEWIS
Ambassador of Hype and Design
Christie is the creative genius behind our marketing department, working for DoubleDave’s since 2007. She fine tuned her artistic wizardry while studying Architecture and Art Direction at a variety of Texas Universities. Who said Liberal Arts degrees don’t pay off?! Christie is a lover of breakfast tacos, Google, dangerously high heels, potato edibles, and is addicted to iced tea.
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: Stephenville, TX. (Overachieving)
First job: Contributing to the overachieving futures of local youth by coaching little league Basketball, Gymnastics, and Swimming.
Job description (nuts & bolts): Create & implement marketing strategies on a Corporate, Regional and local level. Police our brand. Design. Research. Budget. Google. I am also the de facto IT Department. I have the prettiest handwriting in the office, and the second messiest desk. Thanks Dave.
Favorite DD product: Philly Cheesesteak Stromboli, or Dave's Fave (Meat) with garlic spinach on Crispy Thin crust.
First concert: ZZ Top Recycler Tour at the Cotton Bowl. A 14 year old small town girl made some interesting discoveries that day.
Say Anything or High Fidelity: This might possibly be the hardest question ever. Can we make it a Top 5? ...so, yeah... High Fidelity it is.
The ultimate mustached man: Albert Einstein
If you were a character in the Yellow Submarine, you would be: Jeremy. Because I too am an "eminent physicist, polyglot classicist, prize-winning botanist, hard-biting satirist, talented pianist, good dentist too".
LILY OSBORNE
Franchisee Experience Operative
Lily is from Seattle and has confirmed that yes; it does in fact rain there often. On a wild hair Lily attended UT Austin where she gained an extensive knowledge of Government, Psychology, queso, and college football. She joined the DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks entourage in 2009 and has since declared the superiority of Texas when compared to “The Great Northwest”. If for any reason you cannot find Lily, you would be advised to search all party/costume supply stores within the vicinity. She is a fiend for glitter, decorative headwear, and Miley Cyrus microphones. Don’t be fooled if she claims to be a vegetarian. She’s been seen eating bacon on countless occasions.
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: Seattle, WA. The Emerald City- home of Twin Peaks and plaid shirts (thank you Sub Pop).
First job: Candy pusher.
Job description (nuts & bolts): Wing man to Christie. Planning and executing special events and sponsorships, increasing brand awareness, navigating the practice of public relations, alliteration, writing stuff.
Favorite DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks product: Garlic spinach Stromboli with mushrooms.
Best thing about Texas: Ranch
Can’t live without: SANDWICHES. Also cowboy boots and chapstick.
KELLY GREGORY
Field Business Consultant
Kelly began working for DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks in 2007 and has since earned his titled as “The Man”. Evidence of this was demonstrated with Kelly’s own blood, sweat, and skin, at last year’s annual team meeting (see Peculiar Pastimes). With degrees in both Psychology and Business Finance Kelly can tackle any situation. Or he’ll just use Pavlovian manipulation to erase your memory then muddle your investment portfolio.
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: H-town (also known as Houston, TX)
First job: I was 25% owner of four video arcade games located at Schlotzsky's and Dairy Queen.
Job description (nuts & bolts): I act as liaison between franchisees and Corporate. I do what’s needed to help franchisees succeed.
Favorite DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks product: Peproni Rolls.
Something you’ve learned in growing older (and wiser): Don't eat yellow snow.
Peculiar pastimes/famous last words: Shreddin' (my scalp)/Shred it.
First concert: 38 Special, April Wine, and Molly Hatchett.
HEATH SHOCKEY
Field Business Consultant
Heath Shockey is jolly and rosy cheeked, similar to Santa except less fleeting. Although somewhat reserved at first, Heath’s unrivaled sense of humor will inevitably reveal itself and have you in stitches. Heath has been with DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks since 2004, working first at the Tyler location before moving to corporate. He’s a man of many talents who apparently prefers Knight Rider to Night Court, and would take a pet monkey over a pet shark.
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: Born and raised in Tyler, TX.
First job: Mowing Yards before graduating to Pizza Hut employee.
Job description (nuts & bolts): To ensure corporate quality and standards, and make Joey happy. I provide counsel to franchisees regarding their P&L’s (labor, food costs, marketing), and work to maintain low food and labor costs. I also assist with training and opening new stores (29 to date).
Favorite DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks product: Believe it or not... I’m a thin crust kind of guy.
Ultimate superhero: Was never real big on superheroes... but I loved me some Fraggle Rock.
Worst advice you’ve ever gotten: Hold my beer and watch this!
BLAIR GOODWIN
Field Business Consultant
Blair is a real classy guy, and also the newest addition to our field team. Blair came to corporate by way of the Tyler DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks, where he worked under Heath. Rumors still fly as to how he swung the promotion which landed him at DoubleDave’s headquarters. Heath remains tight lipped. When Blair’s not working for the money, he likes to spend time fixing cars and combing his faux hawk. A classic car enthusiast, Blair is quite possibly the only person left who can repair your mechanics.
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: Forney and Tyler, TX.
First job: Carwash heartthrob.
Job description (nuts & bolts): Ask Joey.
Favorite DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks product: Thin crust pepperoni and jalapeno.
Alf or Coach: Definitely Alf. Who doesn’t love an alien that eats cats?
Favorite cupcake: Red velvet or carrot cake.
Ultimate power ballad: Led Zeppelin- Dazed and Confused.
First concert: The Toadies
CHRISTINA MITCHELL
Purveyor of Particulars
Christina is quite possibly the most chipper person you have ever met AND she doesn't eat gluten. She still works here because she learned (quickly) the rest of our beloved employees are not what you might call "morning people". Before she had the good sense to join our team at DoubleDave's Pizzaworks, she was molding the minds of next year's Cotton Bowl losers tomorrow at the University of Oklahoma. If asked, she will happily edit any paper to the nines, and explain said edits with ten dollar words and smiley faces. Some other things you might not know: she has a strong affinity for Haribo gummy bears, movies with "lots of" explosions, eating things with Nutella, pirate culture, and cutting a rug to trashy European pop music. While she claims her favorite place is Disneyland, we promise she is of legal employment age and more than qualified to work here.
Location of misspent/overachieving youth: Coppell, TX / Newport Beach, CA / Heidenham, Germany - equal parts overachieving and misspent, sprinkled with fond memories.
First job: Field trip chaperone for international students. Yup, I got paid to go to Disneyland.
Favorite DoubleDave's product: Dave's Fave (tomatoes and garlic spinach) on Crispy Thin Crust - YUM! (Note: I totally made that up because I can't eat gluten).
If you were stuck in a rowboat but could pick one other passenger to keep you company and/or eat, it would be: Statler & Waldorf from the Muppets count as one person, right?
Spice Girls or N' Sync: N' Sync had way better dance moves... and Justin Timberlake.
First job: Field trip chaperone for international students. Yup, I got paid to go to Disneyland.
Favorite DoubleDave's product: Dave's Fave (tomatoes and garlic spinach) on Crispy Thin Crust - YUM! (Note: I totally made that up because I can't eat gluten).
If you were stuck in a rowboat but could pick one other passenger to keep you company and/or eat, it would be: Statler & Waldorf from the Muppets count as one person, right?
Spice Girls or N' Sync: N' Sync had way better dance moves... and Justin Timberlake.