Introduction to Pizzana
The founders of Sprinkles cupcakes bet on Dallas nearly 20 years ago when they opened their first bakery outside of California, in Preston Center. Husband-wife team Charles and Candace Nelson are all-in on Texas once again with Neapolitan pizza shop Pizzana. They seem poised to see if it can grow across Texas like Sprinkles did.
A new Pizzana is expected to open on Preston Road and Forest Lane in October 2025, co-founder Charles confirmed to The Dallas Morning News. That’s just 3 miles north on Preston Road from their first Sprinkles in Texas, and 8 miles from Dallas’ first Pizzana on Knox Street.
“All of our growth right now is going to be in Texas,” he said.
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He called Texas “a great state for business.”
Candace Nelson, who co-created Sprinkles cupcakes, co-founded pizza shop Pizzana with executive chef Daniele Uditi.(Mark L. Simmons)
Why Pizzana Chose Dallas
He believes Dallasites are world-class diners. “They appreciate real San Marzano tomatoes, dough fermented for 48 hours, cheese from a small farm in Italy,“ he said.
“Being in a place where people appreciate that, it’s special to us.”
The news of a second Pizzana in Dallas follows the opening of Texas’ first Pizzana on Knox Street in late 2022. We called it “Dallas’ highest-profile pizza restaurant opening in years‚” not only because of the real estate deals flying in Dallas’ Knox District but also because of its TV-famous co-owner, Candace, a judge on Cupcake Wars and Sugar Rush.
The Nelsons sold Sprinkles in 2012 and moved from cupcakes to pizza. Was it a big leap? Not really: Both businesses are based on dough, and Candace is one of the country’s most recognizable bakers.
Polpette al Forno, which are Pizzana’s meatballs, are a popular appetizer, the co-owners say.(Rebecca Slezak / Staff Photographer)
Pizzana’s Background
They came up with the idea to open Pizzana after going to a pizza party at Batman actor Chris O’Donnell’s house. As the story goes, Candace found herself next to the wood-burning oven, mesmerized by chef Daniele Uditi’s pizzas.
The Nelsons eventually partnered with Uditi, who is executive chef and co-founder of Pizzana. Candace still oversees the desserts, including a new lemon icebox cake hitting restaurants this summer. Her chocolate olive oil cake remains her favorite.
What the restaurant is best known for is the Cacio e Pepe Pizza, a cheesy, peppery pizza modeled after the Italian pasta dish. Candace describes it as “gooey and creamy and spicy,” a defining dish for the restaurant.
How will Pizzana change?
The Nelsons recognized that Pizzana on Knox needed a few changes to bridge the gap between diners’ preferences in Los Angeles, the home of the original Pizzana, and Dallas.
The Knox restaurant didn’t have a bar at first. The decor was minimal. And tables were close together because the space is small.
