In today’s competitive pizza industry, top pizzerias rely more than ever on the flexibility and consistency of their pizza ovens to meet evolving customer demands.
With a growing variety of pizza styles, from traditional Neapolitan and New York to Detroit deep-dish, ovens must adapt seamlessly to diverse cooking techniques.
Additionally, alternative crusts, such as gluten-free, add complexity to the process, making precise temperature control and even heat distribution essential.
A versatile, reliable oven is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for pizzerias striving to maintain quality and keep up with the latest culinary trends.
That versatility took centerstage last month as Galaxy Group brought their state-of-the-art Pegasus pizza ovens to Dave Portnoy’s annual One Bite Pizza Fest, supplying 40 ovens to support some of the nation’s top pizzerias.
After the success of their initial participation last year at the New York City event, where they provided six ovens, Galaxy Group significantly expanded its role in 2024, becoming a key contributor to the festival’s culinary excellence.
For Galaxy Group, the opportunity to participate in such a high-profile event underscores the growing reputation of its Pegasus line and the brand’s commitment to supporting the best in the pizza industry.
The festival featured over 35 renowned pizzerias, each with their own signature style, from traditional Neapolitan to deep-dish and New York-style pizzas. The flexibility and reliability of Pegasus ovens allowed them to seamlessly support each pizzeria’s unique needs.
“The request for more ovens came directly from the festival organizers,” noted Hakan Inan, Chief Operating Officer of Galaxy Group.
“Last year, we supported the event with six ovens, and the feedback from pizzeria owners was overwhelmingly positive. Based on that success, they decided to go with 40 ovens this year.” The growth in demand reflects the trust the event’s organizers and pizzeria owners placed in Galaxy’s equipment.
But this expansion also brought challenges. “We had to customize the ovens for 40 different pizzeria owners, each with slightly different requirements,” Inan explained. “We embraced the challenge, and I’m proud to say all of them were fully satisfied, without exception.”
The festival, held outdoors with temperatures reaching 85°F, put the ovens to the test. They ran non-stop from 7 AM to 10 PM, showcasing their durability and resilience in the face of demanding conditions.
Behind the scenes, Galaxy Group and its dealer partner, Beast Equipment, worked tirelessly to ensure the festival’s success. “We had six technicians on-site, ready to troubleshoot any issues and assist the chefs,” Inan shared. This hands-on support helped maintain the smooth operation of the ovens throughout the festival, allowing the chefs to focus on delivering high-quality pizzas.
The logistics of preparing for the event were just as meticulous. “All ovens were uncrated and tested at our headquarters in Kearny, NJ, before being delivered to the site,” said Inan.
“We delivered all 40 ovens five days prior to the festival and spent the next four days setting up and thoroughly testing each one to ensure they were ready for the event.” This level of preparation speaks to Galaxy’s commitment to excellence and their attention to detail.
One of the key selling points of the Pegasus oven line is its versatility.
As Dave Rourke, Director of Sales at Galaxy Group, explained, “We designed Pegasus pizza ovens to cook a wide variety of pizzas. With more than 35 pizzerias attending the event, it was the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how adaptable our ovens are to different pizza styles.”
The ovens performed flawlessly under a wide range of cooking conditions. “The event featured everything from thin-crust New York-style pizzas to thick deep-dish varieties,” Rourke noted. “Pegasus ovens handled them all without missing a beat, showing just how flexible and reliable they are in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.”
Not only were the ovens adaptable, but they also proved to be incredibly durable. “We’ve engineered an extremely heavy-duty oven that performs exceptionally well in demanding conditions,” Rourke added. “The One Bite Pizza Fest allowed us to showcase the robustness of our ovens, proving their ability to handle tough, real-world situations.”
The Pegasus ovens aren’t just known for their performance but also for their competitive pricing.
As Inan emphasized, “We use the same components as the most reputable American pizza ovens. For example, we incorporate Robertshaw gas valves and thermostats, and Maxitrol regulators. Thanks to our lean manufacturing process, we’re able to offer the same high quality to the market at a lower price point.”
This combination of quality and affordability has helped Galaxy Group establish a strong foothold in the competitive pizza oven market. And the feedback from the festival has only strengthened their reputation.
“Some chefs mentioned that our stone provided better cooking performance than the ovens they use in their own stores,” Inan noted. Such positive feedback demonstrates that the Pegasus line is making a significant impact on the industry.
Looking ahead, Galaxy Group is focused on continued growth and innovation. “We’re committed to building out both the Galaxy and Pegasus brands,” said Rourke. “This event was a fantastic opportunity to get our brand in front of quality pizzeria operators in the metro New York area and beyond.”
By introducing their ovens to a broader audience at One Bite Pizza Fest, Galaxy Group is opening new doors for future collaborations and business growth.
Rourke also shared his vision for the future: “We’re planning to expand our product line while maintaining the high standards of quality and efficiency that our customers expect. We’re exploring new technologies that can further improve energy efficiency and operational performance, and we’re excited about what’s ahead.”
Galaxy Group’s participation in the One Bite Pizza Fest this year was not just a chance to showcase their ovens, but a significant step in their journey toward becoming a leader in the pizza equipment industry.
As they look toward the future, Galaxy’s Pegasus ovens will continue to play a central role in helping pizzerias around the country deliver consistently high-quality pizza, no matter the style or the environment. Learn more at Galaxy Group Corp’s website.
