Green Lantern Pizza has been a Michigan staple since 1955, famous for its hand-cut pepperoni, scratch-made dough, and old-school recipes that haven’t changed in decades. Co-owned by John Spreitzer for the past 30 years, the company has grown from a single location to 17 stores, with three more planned for 2026.
“We kind of stick to the old-school way of doing stuff. Our pizza today is still made the same way it was 33 years ago,” John says. “But when it came to our technology, we knew we had to modernize.”
Finding the Right Fit After Trying “Everything Else”
Over the years, John tested multiple POS systems from nearly every major pizza technology provider—but none of them could deliver the fast, seamless online experience he wanted for customers.
“We’d tried most of the big players in pizza. Our goal was something that made online ordering quick and easy. We can’t compete with the huge IT departments of the big chains, but FoodTec gave us the tools to run like them.”
Drawn to FoodTec’s user-friendly online ordering and integrated loyalty programs, Green Lantern made the switch about seven years ago—and hasn’t looked back.
From 20% to 60%+ Online Orders
Before FoodTec, only about 20% of orders came in online. Now, many stores average 60% digital orders, with some locations even higher.
“We used to have three, four, even five people just answering phones on a Friday night. Now we can do it with one or two. Customers who switched to online ordering during COVID stayed online because the platform is so easy to use.”
The key? Speed and flexibility. Customers can switch between pages quickly, change sizes, split toppings half-and-half, and customize without frustration.
Full Integration Across the Business
Green Lantern uses nearly every FoodTec tool available, including:
- Caller ID and customer lookup for faster phone orders
- Direct supplier integration for accurate food ordering and consistent costs
- Labor management software to control staffing costs
- Marketing and text programs to drive repeat visits
“Sometimes we’re the ones showing your guys how to do things,” John says with a laugh. “There are features behind features. You’ve got to explore to see everything it can do.”
Lower Labor Costs and More Consistent Food Costs
By fully implementing FoodTec’s labor tools, Green Lantern has reduced labor costs by a couple of percentage points—a major savings in a high-volume operation.
“If a manager is scheduled to leave at three but stays until six or seven when they’re not needed, you can see it right away and fix it.”
With direct API integration to their food supplier, they’ve eliminated ordering errors and smoothed out weekly cost fluctuations:
“Before, we’d over- or under-order. Now, food cost is consistent, which makes cash flow easier.”
Bigger Tickets With Suggestive Selling
Online orders don’t just reduce phone traffic—they generate more revenue per order.
“Our average online ticket is around $33, compared to $27–$29 for phone orders. The built-in suggestive selling makes a big difference.”
Launching New Stores Faster
As Green Lantern continues to grow, FoodTec has helped speed up the opening process.
“Once a new store is built, we can get FoodTec up and running quickly because we already know how it all works. Almost immediately, we’re marketing to the area with email, text blasts, and even direct mail with one-time-use coupon codes to get people in the door.”
This ability to hit the ground running ensures each new location starts strong from day one.
Green Lantern Pizza shows how a family-run, old-school pizza brand can scale like a modern chain without losing its roots. From cutting labor costs and keeping food costs consistent to growing online ordering and boosting average tickets, FoodTec has become an integral part of their operations—and a key partner in their future expansion.
Want to grow like Green Lantern Pizza?
With the right tools in place, you can cut costs, streamline operations, and deliver the fast, seamless ordering experience today’s customers expect. Contact FoodTec today to see how we can help your pizzeria scale while keeping your unique flavor.