The Central Coast pizza institution ready for its next chapter

For almost a decade, Tropicana Pizza Pizza has been far more than somewhere to grab dinner. It's been the backdrop to countless milestones – from first dates and proposals to birthdays, festivals, and even a wedding.

Now, after nine years of building one of the Coast's most recognisable hospitality brands, owners Cate Stewart and Tim Stockton are preparing to hand the keys to someone new.

Not because the business is slowing down, but because it's ready for its next evolution.

The people behind the pizza   

Always pushing Tropicana forward are Cate and Tim, whose combined backgrounds in interior design, film, television, and hospitality have shaped every corner of the business.

Before stepping into hospitality, Tim Stockton worked as a cameraman for Channel Nine before moving into event management, while Cate's experience in interior design helped transform the venue into the vibrant, character-filled space it is today. 

Inspired by the owner-operated restaurants they loved while living in Sydney's Surry Hills and Redfern, they wanted to bring that same creativity and sense of community to the Central Coast. 

More than just a pizza shop

When Tropicana opened in Woy Woy in 2017, it began as a small 12-seater restaurant and takeaway shop built around one simple idea: make a banging pizza. 

The business quickly earned a loyal following before navigating COVID, when its delivery service became a lifeline for both the business and the community. While many businesses struggled to survive, Tropicana emerged stronger than ever.

As the original lease came to an end, the opportunity arose to move into a former milk bar on Trafalgar Avenue. The new space offered something the original shop never could: room to create an experience. 

Together with a trusted chef friend who helped create the dough recipe, Cate and Tim transformed the venue into something unique to the Peninsula. Neon signs, hand-painted murals, pineapples and palm trees, curated playlists, and playful community events are what have set Tropicana apart. 

"We wanted people to come because they loved being here," Cate says.

The pizza may have brought people through the door, but it was the staff, the love of hospitality, and a genuine connection with their customers that kept them coming back. 

Built for the community 

Over the years, Tropicana has grown well beyond its founders.

Today, the restaurant seats around 75 diners across its indoor dining room and landscaped courtyard, employs a team of 14 staff, and has become a genuine destination for locals and visitors alike.

But Cate and Tim say the greatest achievement isn't the fit-out or the menu. It's the community that has grown around it. 

That connection has been built through years of consistency, quality and genuine hospitality. Regulars know exactly what they'll order, whether it's the Tony Pepperoni, Calabrese, Mushroom & Truffle or Fisherman's Wharf.

Ready for its next chapter 

After initially handing the business over to a new owner, they ultimately returned to ensure Tropicana continued thriving until the right long-term custodian could be found.

Rather than simply selling a restaurant, they're looking for an experienced hospitality operator who understands the value of what's already been built. 

The systems are established, the team is experienced, and the reputation has been earned through nearly a decade of consistency.

A rare hospitality opportunity 

Opening a hospitality venue is difficult. Building one that becomes a cherished part of a community is even harder. 

That's what makes Tropicana such a rare opportunity. For an experienced operator, it offers an established business with a distinctive brand, proven systems, an experienced team and nearly a decade of goodwill already invested in its success.

Add in the chance to swap city life for the Central Coast, and it's easy to see why the opportunity is so compelling. 

Cate and Tim hope to find someone who will continue building on what's been created. After nine years, Tropicana no longer belongs solely to the people who built it. It belongs to the Peninsula that embraced it. Now, it's simply waiting for the right person to take it to the next level.

Photo credit: Tropicana Pizza Pizza

This article was produced by HUNTERhunter in partnership with Tropicana. Thank you for supporting the partners who make HUNTERhunter possible.