Highlights

Dan Harmon, who led Playa Bowls as CEO before its acquisition by Sycamore Partners, has been named chief executive of Pizzana, the Neapolitan pizza chain that has earned Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition twice, according to reporting by Restaurant Business Online and Nation's Restaurant News.

Harmon took the role in December. Pizzana, founded in 2017 by Charles and Candace Nelson of Sprinkles Cupcakes, operates eight units across three states and has moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to Dallas. Dinner-only units average $3 million in annual volume; Harmon is testing lunch service as part of a broader growth push that includes launching franchising.

Harmon joined Playa Bowls as CEO in April 2023, arriving from Smoothie King where he served as president and chief operations officer. His earlier career included stints at Papa Murphy's, Potbelly Sandwich Works, Blockbuster, and McDonald's, according to industry trade coverage. Playa Bowls, founded in 2014, had grown to more than 175 locations across 20 states during his tenure, including a Scottsdale unit at 8870 N. 90th St.

Who founded Pizzana?

Pizzana was created in 2017 by Charles and Candace Nelson, the founders of Sprinkles Cupcakes. The chain has received Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition twice for its Neapolitan-style pizzas and currently runs eight units across three states, with headquarters now in Dallas.

Harmon's franchising timeline has not been publicly disclosed.

Where to find them

Sources

Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.

  1. restaurantbusinessonline.com retrieved 01/07/2026 16:14
  2. fesmag.com retrieved 01/07/2026 16:14
  3. Sycamore Partners (official site) retrieved 01/07/2026 16:14

Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 01/07/2026 16:14. Every claim traces to a source.