Are you dreaming of ditching your day job for an entrepreneurial career in the restaurant industry?
Or maybe you’ve owned franchise real estate before, and are looking to break into a new food service franchise market?
If the answer to either of these questions was yes…
Then you may be considering opening a pizza franchise!
Pizza franchises have been around for a while now, and it’s safe to say that they just aren’t going anywhere.
The proven success of this restaurant business model makes it an appealing market to many investors and aspiring business owners.
But which pizza franchise company is the best fit for you?
I'm Ippei, a master of all things online business, passive income, and local lead generation...
And this is a list of what I think are the 30 best pizza franchises to start in 2021.
Let's dig in!
Most Popular Pizza Franchises in 2021
Thinking About Launching Your Own Pizza Franchise? Here's What You Should Know:
If you’ve ever wanted to start a restaurant business, but didn’t want to go it alone, then starting a pizza franchise may be the best option. However, there are a lot of different options to choose from when it comes to pizza franchises, each with their own set of pros and cons.
In-Depth Look at The Top 30 Pizza Stores
30. My Pie
My Pie Pizza is a small New York style pizzeria chain.
Despite their New York heritage, My Pie currently has nine restaurant locations scattered mainly across the southeast and midwest United States.
They pride themselves for offering locally sourced produce ingredients, and making almost everything in their stores fresh, daily.
In addition to this, they use homemade recipes from their family archives.
According to My Pie, as a franchise owner, “you’ll be in business for yourself, but not by yourself.”
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who are “passionate pizza people” and fit the following criteria:
29. RedBrick Pizza
Red Brick Pizza falls into the fire-roasted, brick oven, Neapolitan style of pizza that is becoming increasingly popular.
They offer both individual and family size pizza options so that you will appeal to the widest amount of consumers…
As well as having a menu of “build your own” options in addition to their signature pizza recipes.
Plus, Red Brick Pizza also caters to the widest variety of pizza-loving consumers by offering a wide variety of gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan menu options.
Throw in some cold beers and their authentic gelato and you’ve got a serious recipe for pizza franchise success!
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are also offering the following incentives to new franchise owners:
28. Sam & Louie's
Sam and Louie’s is an Italian style restaurant and New York style pizzeria specializing in hand tossed, thin crust pizzas.
They actually started out as a family run pizzeria in Omaha NE, and have grown from there.
Their company values are centered around community, family traditions, good service, and fun…
Plus great pizza!
On their menu they offer a variety of gluten free options, and their sauce is made with “100% California vine-ripened and sun-nurtured tomatoes, packed fresh at the peak of growing season”.
For franchise owners in the US and Canada, they offer flexible building options, strong training and support teams, as well as a proven franchise system.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who are equally passionate about community oriented entrepreneurship.
Community involvement is extremely important, and according to their website, “it is their passion to help their towns succeed by growing relationships with local organizations and families.”
27. Happy's pizza
Happy’s Pizza prides themselves in offering way more than just pizza!
Including things like ribs, chicken, and seafood.
They currently have locations across Michigan, Ohio, and Nebraska.
So if you’re interested in the profit potential of a pizza franchise, but would love to open a restaurant that offers a wider variety…
Happy’s Pizza might be a great choice for you.
The primary advantage to opening a Happy’s Pizza franchise location, however, is that they offer a flat rate monthly fee of $1,500.
Rather than the traditional percentage based royalty structure of most franchises.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
26. Russo's New York Pizza
Russo’s New York Pizza is an authentic Italian pizza delivery franchise model that specializes in fresh, natural, non-GMO ingredients.
Their menu was developed by first generation Italian, chef Russo himself, using family recipes that originated from Naples and Sicily.
Currently they are offering unique franchise opportunities all across the globe!
So if you are looking to start a restaurant franchise outside of the US, Russo’s would be a great place to start.
Plus, although restaurant experience is recommended…
It isn’t required.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who have a willingness to learn, will be excited to put in the hard work, and willing to fully commit to and engage with their hands on training methods.
25. The Pizza Press
The Pizza Press is an eclectic and unique franchise that combines their 1920’s American newspaper inspired theme with quality craft beers, and the up-and-coming “build your own pizza” model.
In addition to building your own pizza, or “publishing” your own pizza as they like to call it…
They also offer signature recipes fondly named after classic newspapers such as, “The Chronicle”, “The Tribune”, and the “The Times”.
Passionate about creating an immersive environment, The Pizza press focuses on great ambiance, great service, and obviously…
Great pizza!
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who can commit to the following criteria:
24. LaRosa's Family Pizzeria
LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria opened their first franchise location in 1967!
They specialize in offering a wide variety of over 40 menu options with “real Italian recipes” and “real Italian flavor.”
For the past 60 years, LaRosa’s has been operating in the midwest in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky, but they are eager to expand through franchising in the US.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who have a proven track record of success in business, as well as preferred restaurant experience.
However, if you do not have any food service expertise, you will be required to hire an experienced General Manager for each of your LaRosa’s franchise locations.
23. East of Chicago Pizza
East of Chicago Pizza serves up their signature fresh pan pizza…
Chicago style, of course!
They have more than 70 locations across the US, stretching as far east as West Virginia.
And in addition to their deep dish pizza, they also offer delicious sub sandwiches, and signature wings.
In 2008, East of Chicago Pizza was actually purchased by a multi unit franchise owner, Tony Collins, who intends to grow the company to at least 150 locations within the next five years.
Joining the East of Chicago Pizza team as a franchise owner would be a great decision for someone who is driven to join a franchise model that is eager to grow rapidly.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who want to execute a proven business plan, and, according to Collins, “have great passion, a background in restaurant management, or, ideally, a multi-unit operator”.
Plus, he says that “You have to see beyond initial investment and want to grow larger with us...”
22. Vocelli Pizza
Vocelli Pizza is an artisan pizza and Italian cuisine restaurant franchise that began in Pittsburgh in 1988.
Because they are focused on serving artisan pizzas, Vocelli’s works with only the best ingredients.
Including fresh, never frozen, Wisconsin mozzarella, and preservative free, freshly canned California tomatoes.
Since Vocelli Pizza has been around for over 30 years now, and almost 100 locations, they have a proven success plan for potential franchise owners
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who are looking to build their own "neighborhood" pizza shop.
21. Ledo Pizza
Ledo Pizza takes pride in upholding their legacy.
Since their beginning in 1955, not much has changed about the way that they make pizza, including their signature thick pepperoni, and unique rectangular pizza shape.
Apparently, round pizza pans weren’t very common in 1955…
So they just used rectangular baking pans instead, and it just stuck!
Ledo Pizza also recently ranked 3rd in the United States for “most loyal customers”.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And Ledo Pizza is currently looking for franchise partners for both unit franchise locations and regional franchise locations.
20. Pizza Factory
Pizza Factory operates base on a simply philosophy: go into towns to become part of the fabric of the community.
They put this core value into action through their “No Bully Zone” initiative that partners with local schools.
Plus, they offer a menu of high quality ingredients that are never frozen.
They set themselves apart through this commitment to quality, and a menu that includes appetizers made from freshly made-in-house-daily dough, homemade sauce, hand-shredded cheese.
Having been ranked in the top 20 for franchise satisfaction, the Pizza Factory is a great option for aspiring pizza franchise owners!
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And Pizza Factory is currently looking for franchise partners who...
A can do attitude is always a plus!
19. Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Uno Pizzeria & Grill is on a mission to, “repopulate the United States with Uno”.
Which means they are looking for franchise owners to help roll out their new hub and spoke model restaurants!
The hub and spoke model focuses on 3,500 square foot full service restaurants as the “hub”, and smaller 1,200 square foot locations structured as fast-casual restaurants that will serve as the “spokes”.
Their menu offers a wide variety of options, but they specialize in extra cheesy deep dish, chicago style pizzas.
And Uno Pizzeria & Grill is currently looking for franchise owners who meet the following qualifications:
18. Pieology
Pieology is taking the United States pizza franchise market by storm with one purpose: “for pizza, people, and passion”.
Rather than just assuming the standard “build your own” pizza model, they have set out to offer a unique spin on the pizzeria model by offering a focus on creativity and a combination of indulgence and health.
According to them, “It's your imagination… we just feed it.”
Their core values are: local impact, exceptional quality, gratitude, unrivaled experience, and passionate people.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who show grit and take initiative, as well as demonstrating servant leadership.
17. Kono Pizza
Kono Pizza is offering an entirely new take on a pizza franchise…
Their pizzas are literally in the shape of an ice cream cone!
The goal?
To offer Americans a progressive new way to enjoy a classic Italian staple.
Including cones for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert!
And to add another spicy twist to the mix…
They’re all in food trucks!
Which means that Kono Pizza also specializes in offering catering services for events, festivals, parties, weddings, and more.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
One of the true bonuses with this fresh take on pizza that's literally baked into the business model is the flexibility of the concept.
You can literally open this franchise in a cart, food truck/trailer, stadiums/arenas, airports, college campuses, farmers markets, etc.
This flexibility is a serious flex from this up & coming franchise!
16. Jet's
When the very first Jet’s location was starting…
The founder, Eugene Jetts, was actually on his way to buy a house.
But he ended up signing the lease for the space that would become the very first location for Jet’s Pizza.
They now have hundreds of locations across the United States serving their deep dish pizza.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who understand that, “great things never come from comfort zones.”
15. Mountain Mike's
Mountain Mike’s Pizza is ready to make some noise.
They consider themselves to be one of the best kept secrets in the pizza franchise industry, but they are ready to start expanding and opening new territories.
Specifically, they are looking to bring Mountain Mike’s brand to Southern California as well as Utah, Nevada and Oregon.
In contrast to the ever popular delivery and carry out model of pizzerias now, Mountain Mike’s actually captures a third of their sales through dine in!
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who are ambitious entrepreneurs looking to help them grow.
14. Pizza Ranch
Pizza Ranch isn’t your average pizza buffet…
They are passionate about running a faith-based, purpose-driven, family-friendly business, plus serving up some delicious buffet style pizza!
The Pizza Ranch company culture is driven by the success of their franchise owners, and “legendary” customer experiences.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who are passionate, excited to grow, and equally family and community oriented.
13. Rosati's Pizza
Rosati’s Pizza began as a family franchise endeavor, steeped in authentic Italian cooking.
Specializing in Chicago style pizzas, both thin and thick crust, Rosati’s still makes their pizzas from the original family recipe from 1964.
They have a “give the people what they want” mentality, and are structured for pick-up or delivery restaurant locations.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who ideally have previous restaurant experience and are open to their preferred Owner/Operator method.
As well as having a net worth exceeding $400,000, of which $100,000 is liquid.
12. Fox's Pizza Den
Welcome to the Den!
The Fox’s Pizza Den, that is.
When the founder, Jim Fox, started out, he literally opened his first pizzeria with nothing but $500, a rented storeroom, and equipment rescued from a local Pittsburgh scrapyard!
Fortunately, his restaurant was almost an instant success...
He sold out in only six hours on the first day!
Because of this, Fox’s Pizza values hard work persistence, and making entrepreneurship available to more people.
Currently they have over 200 locations in operation
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
11. Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza believes in three core principles: “Intelligent choices for our pizzas, people, and planet.”
Which means that they are devoted to offering the highest quality fresh ingredients with no preservatives, chemicals, or additives…
And eco-friendly packaging that is either recyclable, compostable and/or made from post consumer reclaimed materials.
Plus they are committed to transparency in their sourcing and supply, and animal products that are raised responsibly.
Now that’s a commitment to quality in a fast food industry!
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who have total liquid assets of no less than 500K, and already have prior and current restaurant franchise experience.
10. Round Table Pizza
Round Table Pizza is a west coast pizza franchise that started back in 1959 in California.
Today, they place the same emphasis on quality food and a quality family dining experience as they did when they first started.
But they’ve grown to amass over 450 stores stretching as far as Hawaii and Alaska…
Plus ten franchise locations overseas!
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who meet the following criteria:
9. CiCi's
Cici’s unlimited pizza buffet concept has made them a staple of many people’s childhood!
They currently have over 430 franchise locations, but they are still looking to grow.
Their business model is very family oriented, and includes a game room for kids to enjoy, which can be very appealing for parents and kids alike.
Plus they’ve expanded their menu to include new items like flatbreads and soups.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who have a minimum net worth of $500,000.
8. MOD Pizza
MOD Pizza claims to be the pioneer in the “fast-casual” pizza industry.
Founded in Seattle by husband and wife team, Scott and Ally, MOD Pizza is focused on offering amazing, high quality pizza at an affordable price point…
And putting their “MOD Squad” team of employees and partners first.
The ingredients in their menu are carefully sourced, and they are mindful of animal ethics, and environmental impact in everything they do.
Because of their standard for excellence, MOD Pizza is very selective about its franchise partners, choosing to keep their brand smaller to maintain a higher standard.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who possess strong business acumen, world-class operating talent, and substantial capital resources.
7. Hungry Howie's
Ironically, Hungry Howie’s didn't start as a carry-out and delivery pizzeria!
They originally began as a hamburger joint, but switched to delivering pizzas shortly after.
In fact, their current president and CEO, Steve Jackson, first started out as one of their pizza delivery drivers!
Because of these small beginnings, Hungry Howie’s offers opportunities for others to create their own thriving businesses through franchising.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who will be passionate and dedicated franchisees to join our family and grow the Hungry Howie’s brand, as well as having a minimum net worth of $600,000.
6. Marco's Pizza
Founded in 1978 in Oregon, Ohio, Marco’s Pizza has worked hard to establish itself as a well reputed national brand.
They have a self proclaimed obsession with quality, and use only the highest quality ingredients.
Which has proved to be quite true, since they managed to rank as the number two pizza franchise in the 2020 Entrepreneur Franchise 500.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who possess one key attribute.
In a word: Passion.
Marco’s says that if you have passion and come in with a winning attitude, then that is what matters most.
5. Papa Murphy's
Papa Murphy’s pizza franchises stand out from the pizza industry crowd by being focused on a take-and-bake model.
They have been so successful with their take-and-bake model that they now have over 1,300 locations all across the United States, Canada, and the UAE.
Because of this model they are able to offer the convenience of baking a pizza at home, without using preservatives or additives of their competitors.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who have...
4. Papa John's
Aware that modern consumers want transparency and authenticity from the companies they support…
Papa John’s prides themselves in having one of the cleanest ingredient labels among top national pizza brands.
Their fresh packed pizza sauces are made fresh and never from a concentrate.
Papa John’s franchise motto is, “Be a part of something better.”
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who meet the following minimum criteria:
3. Little Caesar's
Little Caesar’s stands as the third largest pizza franchise in the world.
Currently, they are best known for serving up their affordable $5, Hot N’ Ready pizzas.
And they have been named “Best Value in America” for 13 years in a row.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who meet the following minimum criteria:
2. Domino's
Domino’s mission?
To be number one.
Which I guess sucks for them because they’re coming in at number two on our list…
But hey, there’s always room for growth, right?
Which is exactly where there’s still room for you to become another franchise owner for Domino’s!
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
1. Pizza Hut
Coming in at first place on our list of pizza franchises, is Pizza Hut.
Currently, they have over 6,300 restaurants in the United states alone.
But when Pizza Hut first started out, they weren’t the big fish in the pond just yet.
In fact, their humble beginnings started with two brothers borrowing $600 dollars from their mother to open their first pizzeria.
Now they offer amazing franchise opportunities, and are continuing to expand and grow.
They offer support for their franchise owners in the following ways:
Franchise Support Includes:
And they are looking for franchise owners who meet the following qualifications:
Financial:
Experience:
Passion for Operations:
A Successful Pizza Franchise is Possible... But This is a MUCH Better Way to Earn Passive Income...
Listen, there’s no use arguing about where or not you can make money by opening a pizza franchise…
Because you definitely can!
There are infinite possibilities for success with any of the 30 businesses on this list.
But here’s the thing…
Starting any kind of restaurant franchise is extremely hard work.
Especially considering that the industry standard Owner/Operator model requires you as the franchise owner to be physically present at your store on a consistent, day-in, day-out basis.
Being a restaurant owner is no joke!
The most frustrating part about it is that your profit is still tied to your hours.
While owning a series of restaurant franchises may eventually lead to a steady stream of passive income…
Don’t expect that to happen overnight.
Which is why I actually recommend an entirely different model of business for entrepreneurs and investors who are interested in expanding their territory into passive income.
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