Steven and Patrick Clifford, Boston-born brothers and the founders of Skorch’d Pizza, are ready to move their Northeast-style pies out of the shadows and into a Sacramento storefront.
Currently operating out of a tiny 200-square-foot ghost kitchen at Sactown Eats, the Cliffords have been perfecting their take on Boston-style pizza, which blends the best elements of New York, New Haven, and New Jersey pies into what they call “our own favorite pizza.” Now, they’re inviting the public to join them in the next step: a brick-and-mortar location made possible through bond crowdfunding on SMBX.
“We’re so excited to announce that we’re bringing you a win-win opportunity through @thesmbx!” they wrote on social media. “We’re raising funds for working capital- opening a brick & mortar location.”
The campaign is structured as a $124K bond offering, with 94% ($116,560) allocated to opening costs and 6% ($7,440) to cover the SMBX funding success fee. Supporters can invest through SMBX by purchasing Skorch’d Pizza small business bonds, which start at $10 and offer 11.25% interest with monthly payments over three years.
“An investment in Skorch’d Pizza would allow us to serve more people, build a recognizable brand, and set the foundation for a storefront while staying true to what makes our pizza so special,” the Cliffords explained. “A storefront would allow us to increase our operating hours by 3x, allow us to increase brand visibility, and accelerate revenue growth by removing operational constraints and converting existing demand.”
Skorch’d Pizza was founded in 2024, when the brothers started making pizzas at home out of sheer necessity. “[We] started out just making pizzas in our homes since we couldn’t find any other pizzas in the area like what we grew up on back home in Boston,” Steven told What Now Sacramento.
The menu currently features a variety of 16-inch specialty pies, including the My Little Roni—a playful take on the classic pepperoni pizza—and the Spicy Pig, a unique sweet-and-spicy creation with ham, bacon, jalapeños, and Calabrian chile hot honey. Skorch’d also offers vegan options for plant-based pizza lovers.
Looking ahead to their brick-and-mortar debut, the Cliffords are exploring a location in Midtown Sacramento, though they remain open to other neighborhoods. Once they secure a storefront, Skorch’d Pizza plans to expand the menu, offering pizza by the slice, fresh salads, and other customer-requested options.
The decision to leave the ghost kitchen comes down to two priorities: flavor and connection. Skorch’d pies are best enjoyed fresh from the oven, which is challenging when customers can’t sit and savor them.
The brothers also want to meet the people who eat their pizza—being tucked away in a back kitchen has kept them mostly out of sight, which is why they’ve turned to YouTube Live to interact with fans while they cook. A storefront will finally let them serve pies straight from the oven and connect with diners in person, creating a true neighborhood gathering spot.
Ideally, the Cliffords hope to open their brick-and-mortar in the summer of 2026, but they’re committed to finding the perfect spot rather than rushing. For updates, sneak peeks, and additional crowdfunding information, follow @skorchdpizza on Instagram.
