Ever wonder what it takes to build a restaurant that becomes a beloved community staple? Kevin from Pedaler's Pub joins the B-Team Podcast to share the remarkable journey of transforming from school teacher to successful restaurateur.

Kevin's story is refreshingly genuine – starting with a homemade wood-fired pizza oven on a trailer where he perfected recipes before taking the entrepreneurial leap. His philosophy is beautifully simple: serve good food at fair prices, stay open later than everyone else, and maintain unwavering quality. This approach has created not just a restaurant, but a Bentonville institution that recently expanded from 2,500 to 9,000 square feet while keeping its original charm and character.

What truly sets Pedaler's apart is the incredible team Kevin has assembled. In an industry notorious for turnover, his general manager has been there since day one, eleven years ago. His bar manager? Ten years. As Kevin puts it with characteristic straightforwardness, "You can't suck and work here." This commitment to excellence extends to every aspect of the business, from their meticulously crafted wood-fired pizzas (where the oven operator serves as "the quarterback" of the entire kitchen) to their fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

The expanded location holds some delightful surprises too – like a full golf simulator room available for private rental, pool tables with ample space, and plans for a future patio. Kevin walks us through the challenges of maintaining pizza perfection when cooking with wood fire, the careful decisions behind menu evolution, and why their branded take-home cups have become collectors' items around town.

Whether you're a longtime Pedaler's fan or haven't yet experienced their chicken bacon ranch pizza (a kitchen staff favorite) or their legendary wood-fired spinach artichoke dip, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the heart and soul of a restaurant that embodies the best of Bentonville's dining scene.

Head to 500 South Main Street to experience Pedaler's Pub for yourself, or follow them online to learn more about their story, menu, and special offerings. Your new favorite pizza place (and so much more) is waiting!

More About this Episode

How a Former Teacher Built One of Bentonville’s Favorite Restaurants: The Story Behind Pedaler’s Pub

In a town that's constantly evolving—where new restaurants open every month with flashy menus and polished aesthetics—it’s rare to find a place that not only endures, but becomes an institution. Bentonville’s beloved Pedaler’s Pub is one of those rare establishments. Built from the ground up by former teacher Kevin Bennoch, this wood-fired pizza joint and neighborhood pub has grown into far more than just a restaurant—it’s a community cornerstone.

From the decision to serve until 11 p.m. when most others closed at 8, to creating a space that feels as comfortable as your best friend’s living room, Kevin's journey from educator to restaurateur is a case study in thoughtful growth, grit, and staying true to your roots.

From Chalkboard to Charred Crust

Kevin’s entry into the restaurant world wasn’t born out of formal culinary training or investor-backed ambition. It came from a desire to work for himself and a deep-seated love for wood-fired pizza.

Before Pedaler’s Pub existed, Kevin was teaching school and bartending on the side. “I just wanted to work for myself,” he says. “There wasn't any wood-fired pizza up here. I liked the concept, l like wood-fired pizza.” With that, he began tinkering. He built his first pizza oven on a trailer and started showing up to parties, slinging pizza and gathering feedback.

His first big move came with the help of the Walton College of Business’s Small Business Administration (SBA) program, which offered him critical demographic data and business planning support. In 2014, the original Pedaler’s Pub opened its doors in downtown Bentonville.

Building More Than a Restaurant

What makes Pedaler’s Pub stand out isn’t just the pizza—it’s the experience. From the start, Kevin and his wife wanted to create something different: a place that was casual but dependable, vibrant but not pretentious. In other words, they wanted to build a place they’d actually want to go themselves.

“I’ve never seen the other restaurants as competition,” Kevin explains. “If you do what you do well, the community will come.”

And come they did.

What helped solidify Pedaler’s status in Bentonville wasn’t just the wood-fired pies. It was the late hours, the approachable pricing, the full-service bar, and the vibe—equal parts laid-back and hard-working. It was a place where you might rub elbows with a tech exec on one side and a cyclist still in their gear on the other.

The People Behind the Pie

Pedaler’s Pub isn’t just known for its food; it's also known for its people.

Kevin’s philosophy around hiring is simple: “You can’t suck and work here.” It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency, work ethic, and pride in the product. And it works.

Christian Barrett, now the general manager, was the very first employee hired back in 2014. More than a decade later, he’s still there, helping run the day-to-day and keeping the vibe strong. Lisa White, the bar manager, joined in the second year. This level of employee retention is practically unheard of in the hospitality industry and speaks volumes about the culture Kevin has built.

It’s no surprise, then, that when Pedaler’s expanded in 2024—just across the street into a new 9,000-square-foot location—customers followed.

Expanding Without Losing the Magic

The move across the street wasn’t just about space. It was about opportunity—to build a better kitchen, bring in equipment upgrades, and improve the customer experience. It also offered the chance to add new features without losing the soul of what made the original pub special.

They kept all the original décor and even repurposed the old bar, cutting it into two pieces and re-installing it as part of the new pizza station. The large chandelier of bicycle parts? Built by Kevin himself. The vibe? Unchanged. Just bigger, better, and more efficient.

A new golf simulator room was added, a private entertainment space where patrons can rent by the hour, play a round of virtual golf, and have food and drinks served without ever leaving the room. It’s a hidden gem, and Kevin’s been deliberately quiet about it. “We want to make sure everything else runs smoothly before we start pushing something like that,” he says.

That’s the ethos behind everything at Pedaler’s Pub—earn your success, one slice at a time.

Wings, Pizza, and Hidden Menu Favorites

While the pizza is the showstopper—thin-crust, wood-fired, and made with locally sourced ingredients—there’s more to Pedaler’s than meets the eye.

Take the wings, for example. Made in-house with a proprietary hot sauce and baked in the wood-fired oven, they’ve converted even the most skeptical diners. 

Then there’s the spinach artichoke dip, an under-the-radar favorite. It’s made from scratch daily and finished in the pizza oven for a smoky, bubbly crust on top. Customers rave about it, along with the sandwiches, burgers, and the surprisingly popular strombolis.

And don’t sleep on the “kitchen favorite” pizza: the Chicken Bacon Ranch with hot sauce, sunflower seeds, onions, and feta. It’s spicy, tangy, and creamy all at once—a combo that was never meant to be a menu item but became one by popular demand.

Community-Driven, Customer-Focused

Kevin’s vision has always been centered on building community. Bentonville is known for its innovation and growth, but Pedaler’s Pub reminds us that what makes a restaurant thrive long-term isn’t flash—it’s familiarity. It’s consistency. It’s showing up every day with the same care, the same recipes, and the same commitment to your team and your customers.

You see it in the way Kevin talks about his relationships with other restaurant owners in town, like Barry from Blue. You see it in the way he celebrates his staff's loyalty. And you taste it in the pizza.

Whether you’re a regular at the bar, grabbing a pint in a branded take-home cup, or a newcomer stumbling upon one of the best slices in town, the result is the same: You feel like you belong there.

What’s Next for Pedaler’s Pub?

One year into the new space, and things are just getting started. The golf simulator will likely become a go-to for events and parties. There’s talk of finally building that patio space—when the timing (and the fly situation) is right. And who knows? Maybe a second Pedaler’s someday.

But for now, Kevin and the team are focused on keeping the heart of the pub alive: great food, familiar faces, and a welcoming place for everyone.

Visit Pedaler’s Pub

Location: 500 S Main Street, Bentonville, AR 72712 (Behind Gearhead, walking distance from downtown)

Website: https://www.pedalerspub.com/
Email: pedalerspub@gmail.com

At Pedaler’s Pub, you’re not just getting a meal—you’re joining a Bentonville tradition.