Call Center Company in Lakeland, FL

Over the past month, The Ledger dared to ask Polk County residents the question: Who has the best pizza?

We started a March Madness-style competition starting with an extensive list of 27 pizzerias and Italian restaurants, ranging from chains to ghost kitchens.

Thousands of voters later, our final faceoff came down to Secret Slice Brick Oven Pizza, a ghost kitchen operating out of Lake Wales, and That 716 Pizza Joint, a mom-and-pop pizzeria in Lakeland.

Who won?

We asked, and you voted. The bragging rights for Polk's best pizza go to That 716 Pizza Joint. It pulled off victory collecting 54% of the vote since Tuesday. Polls closed Thursday night.

That 716 Pizza Joint is tucked away in a small commercial strip at 1950 S. Combee Road in Lakeland. Look for its bright red-and-black banner to locate this pizzeria among the large, industrial buildings.

"Guys! We've won!" owner Phil Imperi shouted out to his employees working Friday's lunch rush.

The good news was hailed with cheers and high-fives across the staff.

Introducing That 716 Pizza Joint

Imperi said he bought the pizzeria with his partner, Fee, roughly two and a half years ago. It's not his first pizzeria in Polk County or Lakeland. He previously was co-owner of Sal's Pizza off County Road 540A and has another location on South Florida Avenue.

Imperi was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, and as his pizzeria displays, has a true love for the Buffalo Bills football team. His pizza-making roots trace to La Nova, a well-known Buffalo pizzeria open since 1957.

What is 716, and what's sets it apart?

It should come as no surprise That 716 Pizza Joint, named for Buffalo's area code, makes a uniquely Buffalo-styled pizza. "We use a denser crust, not really thin like New York-style pizza," Imperi said. "We used a heavier sauce, a lot more cheese and the pepperoni we use is cut-and-char pepperoni."

When Imperi first came to Lakeland 13 years ago, he said that he used to meet one person from western New York maybe once or twice a year. Now, he meets other Buffalo natives every single day. They appreciate a slice of their hometown style, and it's clearly catching on.

Haven't tried it yet? Imperi's recommendation

For those looking to try That 716 Pizza Joint for the first time, he highly recommends a large pepperoni pie as a "go-to."

"We work hard, we do," Imperi said. "We lost our ass during COVID, we lost a restaurant. This here, this is our dream, so this means a lot."

Imperi said he loved the friendly competition, reaching out to some of his competitors to compliment their great pie. It's apparent that there's plenty of good pizza in Polk, but That 716 Pizza Joint came out a slice above the rest, according to the pizza fans.

Know of a new restaurant or food place opening? A hidden gem? Email [email protected].

Lucky you. You just found LALtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events to plan for that are taking place in and around Lakeland each month.

Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading to this month. Psst: Don’t forget to bookmark this page and come back; we update our guide monthly.

Don’t see anything you like? Check out our full events calendar.

SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo | Tuesday, April 1-Sunday, April 6 | 8 a.m.-8 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus | $18+ | It’s the 51st year of this annual expo featuring air shows, interactive activities for the whole family, and the latest + greatest aviation tech.

Songkran Thai Festival & Thai Food Market | Sunday, April 6 | 12-6 p.m. | Grove Roots Brewery, Winter Haven | Free+ | The beer garden will come alive with food vendors and dancing exhibitions — plus, plenty of karaoke performances.

World of Reading | Saturday, April 12 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Barnett Family Park | Free | Kids will experience the magic of reading with free book giveaways, local author readings, crafts, face painting, snacks, and more.

Auburndale CityFest | Saturday, April 12 | 3-9 p.m. | Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, Auburndale | Free+ | Diamond Rio will headline a night of live music, and you can enjoy a vendor market, food truck, and family-friendly activity zones.

11th Annual 863 Art Fest | Saturday, April 19 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Central Park, Winter Haven | Free+ | Shop the works of 150+ local makers while grooving to live music and munching on food truck bites.

Lakeland Book Crawl | Thursday, April 24-Saturday, April 26 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Locations vary | Free+ | Stop by one of Lakeland’s seven independent bookstores for daily specials, pop-ups, and events, culminating in a finale social on Saturday at Crash Bookshop.

“The Simon & Garfunkel Story” | Thursday, April 3 | 7:30 p.m. | RP Funding Center | $45+ | You won’t need a “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to get to this tribute show acclaimed by Art Garfunkel himself.

Rockin’ on the Chain | Friday, April 4-Sunday, April 6 | Times vary | Tanner’s Lakeside, Winter Haven | Free+ | Rock out for a cause — proceeds from this music festival will go toward programs for individuals with autism.

Almost ABBA | Saturday, April 5 | 7:30 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $25+ | Calling all dancing queens — don’t miss this show of ABBA’s greatest hits, with special guests the She Gees.

Piano Men: Generations | Saturday, April 11 | 7 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $25+ | Pianists Terry + Nick Davies will celebrate the music of Elton John and Billy Joel together.

”La Musique” | Saturday, April 12 | 7-9 p.m. | Branscomb Auditorium at Florida Southern College | $29+ | Organist Matthew Corl and the FSC Concert Choir will join the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra for an evening of classical music.

Moxie Le Femme Presents: “Moxie’s Egg-cellent Improv Adventure” | Saturday, April 19 | 8-11 p.m. | Union Hall | $20+ | See what this local dance company hatches up in an improvised burlesque show.

Sunrise Zumba | Thursday, April 3 | 7:30-8:30 a.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus | Free | Get active with aircraft as your backdrop in this dance fitness class — registration is free.

Gospel Inc.'s Walk to End Homelessness | Saturday, April 12 | 9 a.m. | Lake Parker Park | $30 | Create a team and join this walkathon to raise funds that will provide permanent housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.

2nd Annual Putts Fore Mutts | Friday, April 25 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m. | Huntington Hills Golf Course | $110+ | Sign up as a solo player or register your team and raise some green on the greens to benefit Polk County Bully Project.

Judd Jog 5K | Saturday, April 26 | 8 a.m. | Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Winter Haven | $40 | Run this paved course to help raise funds for United Way of Central Florida, then stick around for a meet and greet with PCSO’s K-9 unit.

Sip & Sprout Plant Festival | Saturday, April 5 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Metals & Nature, Plant City | Free+ | Shop and stroll through this garden paradise with iced coffee or Keel & Curley wine in hand.

Blueberry Festival | Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 27 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Keel Farms, Plant City | Free+ | Don’t be blue — this festival will include blueberry U-pick, shortcake eating contests, and plenty of family-friendly fun.

Bloom at BSP | Saturday, April 5-Sunday, April 6 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bonnet Springs Park | Free | Celebrate nature, creativity, and horticulture with floral installations and entertainment throughout the park.

Jellybean Jubilee | Thursday, April 17 | 4-7 p.m. | Simpson Park Community Center | Free | Hop on over to this free community event featuring an egg hunt, crafts, games, bounce houses, and face painting — just to name a few.

2025 State of the County | Thursday, April 24 | 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Polk State College Center for Public Safety, Winter Haven | Free | Gain insight into the trends and developments impacting local government, education, and health.

18th Annual Swan Derby | Friday, April 25 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Lake Mirror | Free+ | Don your derby best to support Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine with “Alice in Wonderland”-themed swan boat races and a VIP party.

Spring Plant Sale | Saturday, April 26 | 8-11:30 a.m. | City of Lakeland Nursery | Free+ | Shop plants grown by Polk’s Master Gardener volunteers — all proceeds will go toward local horticulture programming.

Women ACEs Breakfast | Wednesday, April 2 | 7:30 a.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo Aerospace Pavilion | $35 | Celebrate women in aviation at a breakfast featuring keynote speaker Connie Tobias and a panel of female pilots.

First Friday: Foodie Fest | Friday, April 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Downtown Lakeland | Free+ | Sample small bites from your favorite Polk County eateries as you shop the Makers Market.

Trailblazers in Aviation Luncheon | Saturday, April 5 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Prop 75 at SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus | $30 | The Ninety-Nines Women Pilots Association will host aerobatic champion Dr. Cecilia Aragon as the speaker for this inspiring luncheon.

Harrison School for the Arts 35th Anniversary Celebration Gala | Saturday, April 12 | 7-10 p.m. | The Ritz Theater, Winter Haven | $150+ | Celebrate 35 years of this performing arts academy with bites + bevs, a silent auction, and entertainment by performers Quentin Darrington, Elizabeth Burton Lyons, and Lindsey Alley.

Sherlock Holmes Mystery Cocktail Experience | Saturday, April 19 | Times vary | Polk Theatre | $45 | Don your deerstalker cap and grab a magnifying glass for this interactive show that will let you play detective while sipping four mysteriously tasty bevs.

Game Night at the Museum | Saturday, April 26 | 7 p.m. | Florida Children’s Museum | $75 | Grab your boo or your besties as adults take over the museum for one night only with classic + casino games, bites and bevs, and a silent auction.

Have an event of your own you want to share with us? Follow these easy steps to add your events to our calendar:

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In partnership with Visit Central Florida Sports & Polk County Public Schools, this week’s 2025 Florida High School Boys Weightlifting State Championships will take place inside of George Jenkins Arena, located at the RP Funding Center, marking the third consecutive year the event has been held in Lakeland.

For this year’s event, Class 2A will have all lifters take to the platforms on Friday, April 11^th in the afternoon, while both Classes 1A & 3A will compete on Saturday, April 12^th in a two-session morning and afternoon format. An awards presentation for the competing divisions will follow at the conclusion of each lifting session.

Tickets are currently on sale and available through the RP Funding Center Box Office for an advanced purchase rate of $11.00 per day, and a day of price of $14.00. For a complete schedule, along with state series results and additional event information, please see below or visit the boys weightlifting sport page.

2025 Boys Weightlifting State Championships (Friday, April 11 & Saturday, April 12) Defending team champions by classification:

Know Before You Go:

When: Friday-Saturday, April 11^th -12^th Where: RP Funding Center (Lakeland) Host: Polk County Public Schools Facility Information:

Admission: $11.00 if purchased in advance, $14.00 day of (plus any applicable service fees)

Parking: $12.00 (proceeds retained by Host Location) Event Schedule: All classes Official Merchandise: Team IP Event Photography: Fastbreak Connect Lodging and Event Information: click here*

*This is a collection of resources provided by the host organization to better assist you in your travel and stay within Polk County. All lodging and attractions will need to be contacted for more information, and are not directly affiliated with the FHSAA or Local Organizing Committee.

2025 State Series: Live State Championship Meet Results: Weightliftingscore.com List of State Qualifiers: All Classes State Series Tournament Results: Regionals | Districts

Lakeland is becoming a technology industry powerhouse, with the Lakeland-Winter Haven metro area’s high-tech gross domestic product growing nearly 63% from 2018 to 2023. Did you know about these technological advancements being used and developed right here in Swan City?

Lakeland Regional Health rolled out a new lung care technology called the Intuitive Ion Robotic Navigational Bronchoscopy in February. The diagnostic technology uses robotic tech + 3D imaging to collect more precise tissue samples from all parts of the lung.

The tech doesn’t stop there — LRH has also implemented procedures like the Robotic Whipple for pancreatic cancer surgery and Bridge Enhanced ACL Restoration implant that can be used instead of another tendon in ACL procedures.

Where better to find new technology than at Florida Polytechnic University, Florida’s only state STEM school? Researchers here work alongside students to find solutions for problems in health, public safety, and more.

One project that has life-changing potential is the research of assistant professor Dr. Chris Kelley and Dr. Jalal Ahamed from Canada’s University of Windsor. Their team has created wearable technology that captures movement changes in those with Parkinson’s disease. The coin-sized sensors will monitor the progression of the disease + effectiveness of treatments.

Just up the road from Florida Poly is the SunTrax testing facility. Led by the Florida Department of Transportation, it includes several types of environments where autonomous vehicles and new tolling technology are put to the test.

Over at Catapult, EZ Ag Innovations is using patented AI + machine learning technology to help farmers. The company is led by University of Florida professors with decades of agricultural experience. By using AI to target fungicide spraying, it aims to reduce the amount of chemicals used and raise crop yields. More fresh produce? Count us in.