"Daimler employee switches careers, now whips up pizza dough"
In sleepy Remseck-Pattonville, luck's clearly on John Gerzen's side. The Daimler employee turned entrepreneur has swapped his factory floor for a pizza oven. And it seems he made the right call.
John leans back on his counter stool, the afternoon quiet still hanging in the air. His delivery service "Johnny's Pizza" won't open for another three and a half hours. It's the perfect time for a chat about his new venture, and the happiness that's now filling his life.
His gut feeling did him right, John confesses, grinning at his bakery. The 33-year-old's job hop from Daimler's Mettingen aluminum foundry to his very own doorstep in Remseck was quite the shock for his bosses. "I'm on an indefinite leave until June 2026," he says with a laugh. "We'll see where the future takes us then."
The wheels started turning when John stumbled upon the fact that the previous pizza delivery service owner was ready to hang up her apron about a year ago. "She's now jet-setting through Zanzibar, running a travel agency," John reminisces, relieved he didn't have to start from scratch with an empty customer base.
John's previous reality was far from ideal. With three children – Diana (6), Alice (4), and Maximilian (1) – his late shift at Daimler and the ensuing exhaustion kept him away from his loved ones. His wife was also employed, and their lives were turning toxic. Especially Alice, with her severe disability, demanded constant attention. The three-shift rhythm felt like a strain.
A solution never crossed John's mind until a golden opportunity to take over the pizza bakery on Columbus Street came knocking. But what did a trained aggregate mechanic know about making pizzas? John took the plunge, immersing himself in the pizza world for a whole year. He learned by doing every single step with his predecessor, from driving to baking and managing the business.
For two months, John drove deliveries, ensuring he didn't forget a thing. "You have to be quick and never forget the soda cans," he warns. Now, he employs a team of 15 drivers who love working for him because he values a friendly atmosphere and enjoys coming to work. "We have a good laugh around here – if I'm going to spend a lot of time here, it should be enjoyable."
John's passion for pizza was born from trial and error. He tasted countless pizzas, experimented with different recipes, and even fermented the dough for 48 hours in the refrigerator. The efforts paid off – customers rave about the taste, the crispy crust, and the soft center. They praise John and his team for using fresh ingredients and accommodating specific requests.
Most of Johnny's Pizza customers come from Pattonville, John shares. Many opt for pick-up, even though delivery is free. The former US military base location between Ludwigsburg, Kornwestheim, and Remseck allows for a broad delivery radius.
Read more: John Gerzen's story, Ex-professional VfB Stuttgart Arthur Boka opens restaurant in Ludwigsburg, New US food trend in Kornwestheim: "Panizza"
In the serene atmosphere of Remseck-Pattonville, John Gerzen's decision to venture into the food-and-drink industry, specifically pizza, has proven to be a successful lifestyle change. His new home-and-garden, Johnny's Pizza, demonstrates a shift from his mechanical past at Daimler, offering him a fulfilling work environment and a chance to spend more quality time with his family.
