Benson Tsai

Benson Tsai is the CEO and co-founder of Stellar Pizza, a pioneering company that combines automation and culinary innovation to create a fast-casual pizza experience. Tsai, along with co-founders Brian Langone and James Wahawisan, is a former engineer from SpaceX, where he worked on advanced battery systems for rockets and spacecraft. His journey from aerospace engineering to the food industry showcases a unique blend of technology and culinary passion.

Early Life and Education

Benson Tsai grew up in Hacienda Heights, California, in a family that emphasized entrepreneurship; his parents immigrated from Taiwan and opened several businesses, including a fish-and-chips restaurant. This environment instilled in him a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the food industry. He earned his B.S. in engineering from Harvey Mudd College in 2006 and later obtained an M.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Career Path

Before founding Stellar Pizza, Tsai had a diverse career:

• Motiv Power Systems: He started this electric powertrain manufacturer, which received recognition for its innovative contributions to transportation.
• Lucid Motors: As part of the team, he designed battery systems for luxury electric vehicles.
• SpaceX: Tsai spent five years at SpaceX, contributing to projects like the Dragon spacecraft and Starlink satellite system.

His experiences at these companies provided him with valuable insights into engineering and innovation, which he later applied to his culinary venture.

Stellar Pizza

Founded in 2022, Stellar Pizza aims to revolutionize the pizza industry by utilizing cutting-edge technology and robotics. The company has developed a touchless machine capable of baking pizzas from scratch in under five minutes. This innovative approach allows Stellar Pizza to offer high-quality pizzas at affordable prices, with each pie costing around $10 or less.

Business Model

Stellar Pizza operates a fleet of mobile food trucks that serve freshly baked pizzas directly to customers. Each truck can produce pizzas quickly and efficiently, requiring only one operator—the driver. The company emphasizes quality ingredients while keeping operational costs low through automation.

Vision for the Future

Tsai envisions expanding Stellar Pizza's model to address broader societal issues, such as food accessibility in underserved communities. His goal is to create a network of mobile restaurants that can deliver nutritious meals where they are needed most.

Benson Tsai's journey from rocket scientist to pizza entrepreneur illustrates how diverse experiences can lead to innovative solutions in unexpected fields. His commitment to leveraging technology in food production not only enhances efficiency but also aims to create a positive impact on society.