Meet Shane Schaper and Jimmy Nagel: The Heart and Soul of Dogtown Pizza!

It all started with pizzas being prepared and frozen in Rick and Meredith Schaper’s very own home kitchen, and over the years, Dogtown Pizza has become a beloved, thriving local business that involves the entire Schaper family and provides jobs for the residents of the Dogtown neighborhood in St. Louis.

Our mission has always been to help you feed your family delicious pizzas with thoughtful ingredient combinations and locally sourced ingredients, and that mission still has not changed. When you’re feeding your family Dogtown Pizza, you’re feeding your family well.

Dogtown Pizza’s Secret Ingredient…

The secret ingredient that makes our pizzas so darn delicious is our employees. Without our employees, there would be no Dogtown Pizza, and it’s that shared interest that makes us all part of the Dogtown Pizza family.

Whether they were born into the Dogtown Pizza family or hired into it, every individual who’s a part of this family is a crucial and valued member of our team and the reason we keep getting to do what we love most: making the very best local St Louis-style pizzas you’ll ever find in the freezer aisle.

It’s in this spirit of recognition that we’re trying out a new feature on the Dogtown Pizza Blog! This employee spotlight focuses on our general managers, Shane Schaper and Jimmy Nagel, the heart and soul of Dogtown Pizza—but who is the heart and who is the soul? Read on and decide for yourself!

Shane Schaper, General Manager

About Shane Schaper

Shane Schaper is the middle son of Rick and Meredith Schaper, the founders of Dogtown Pizza. He’s been involved with the business since he was in the fifth grade, and by all accounts, he only has great things to look forward to in his future!

The Interview

Dogtown Pizza Blog: Hi, Shane! Thanks for talking to us about Dogtown Pizza today!

Shane: There’s nothing else I’d rather do!

DTPB: So how long have you worked at Dogtown Pizza?

Shane: I’ve been helping out at home since I was 10 years old. I helped my parents with the business every chance I got, whether that was after school, on the weekends, or during summer vacation. I became a full-time employee after I graduated high school.

DTPB: Wow, that’s quite the resume! How long have you been in your current position? 

Shane: I have been a general manager for almost five years now.

DTPB: And what are your primary roles and responsibilities as GM?

Shane: I am in charge of all the employees and collectively, it is our job to produce as many of the best-looking and best-tasting pizzas as possible each and every day!

DTPB: What do you love about your job the most (besides making pizzas, of course)?

Shane: That’s a tough question, but I would probably say I love the fun and positive atmosphere the most. Going to work doesn’t really feel like going to work, you know? The entire DTP family has fun together. We make the most out of every day and have a good time while we do it.

DTPB: What makes you excited about the future of DTP? 

Shane: The company continues to grow and improve, and I feel like I’m improving myself right along with it.

DTPB: Last question. What is your favorite memory of working at Dogtown Pizza? Any funny stories or big accomplishments you’d like to talk about? 

Shane: I always enjoyed coming into work with a small crew on Saturdays. We’d prep ingredients, make some pizzas, listen to music, and just have a blast together. You never forget those kinds of moments.

DTPB: Thanks so much for talking to us about Dogtown Pizza today, Shane! It’s been fun learning more about you!

Shane: Thanks. I’m always happy to talk about Dogtown Pizza!

Jimmy Nagel, General Manager

About Jimmy Nagel

Jimmy Nagel is a general manager at Dogtown Pizza. He moved up to the position only four short years after being hired.

The Interview

Dogtown Pizza Blog: Hi, Jimmy! Thanks for talking to us about Dogtown Pizza today!

Jimmy: Glad to be here.

DTPB: How long have you worked at Dogtown Pizza? 

Jimmy: I’ve worked here for nine years now.

DTPB: How did you first get started at DTP? 

Jimmy: After working for 13 years at my previous employer, the company closed down, and I was out of a job. I just happened to play beer league softball with a few guys that worked at Dogtown Pizza, and they told me it was a great job and that I should apply. I took their advice, and the rest is history.

DTPB: Smart thinking! How long have you been in your current position? 

Jimmy: I’ve been a general manager for five years.

DTPB: What are your primary roles and responsibilities? 

Jimmy: I handle most of the ordering of our pizza ingredients. I’m also involved in the hiring of new employees, and I make sure things are organized around the building.

DTPB: Diverse skillset! What do you love most about your job? 

Jimmy: I love the owners the most. This job isn’t about money for me; it’s about loving what I do and being happy and comfortable. It’s a great place to work because it’s like my own family.

DTPB: What makes you excited about the future of Dogtown Pizza? 

Jimmy: We just moved into a brand new building and the possibilities for what we can do with the space are endless! The future is definitely looking bright.

DTPB: Last question. What is your favorite memory of working at Dogtown Pizza? Any funny stories or big accomplishments you want to talk about? 

Jimmy: My favorite memories are the work parties. It’s nice to get to know our employees outside of work and just hang out and relax as a team.

DTPB: Thanks so much for talking to us about Dogtown Pizza today, Jimmy! It’s been fun learning more about what you do.

Jimmy: Absolutely!

Thanks for joining us to talk with Dogtown Pizza’s heart and soul, Shane Schaper and Jimmy Nagel! We’re always happy to shine the spotlight on members of the DTP family because they’re the ones that keep this operation running. There is a history of hard work and perseverance behind every bite of Dogtown Pizza and we want you, our loyal customers, to continue to reap the benefits!