The pizza industry is booming to the tune of $40 billion annually, and you can join the boom with one of these best pizza franchises.
A whopping 93 percent of Americans eat pizza at least once per month. When it comes to choosing a franchise business to jump into, it would be hard to go wrong with America’s favorite food.
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Browse our listing of the top pizza franchises to help narrow your search. All of these chains are projected to be top performers in 2015, but only one is going to be the perfect fit for you. Which one will work best in your market?
Little Caesars
Min Investment: $100,000
In business since 1959, Little Caesars is a globally recognized brand that supports franchisees with the tools of a proven system, including ongoing training, architectural and construction services to help with design, preferred lenders to assist with financing, the ongoing research and development of new products and effective marketing programs. Customers love the HOT-N-READY® carry-out products, which can only be found at Little Caesars Pizza.
Papa Murphy’s
Min Investment: $80,000
Papa Murphy’s pioneered the Take ‘N’ Bake pizza business more than 30 years ago. Since then, Papa Murphy’s has become the largest Take-n-Bake pizza chain in the world with $785 million in system wide sales and over 1,400 locations – and currently expanding. Papa Murphy’s limited hours of operation and the take-n-bake concept without the hassles of dining or delivery, provide a great pizza franchise.
Papa John’s
Min Investment: $50,000
Papa John’s pizza was founded by John Schnatter in 1984 and has built its brand around “better” ingredients than its competitors. The more than 4,000 pizza franchises nationwide focus on the simple premise of fresh, quality ingredients to build a good pizza quickly. Since 2010 it has been the official pizza sponsor of the NFL and even became part of the official coin toss at the Superbowl in 2013.
Pizza Hut
Min Investment: $300,000
Pizza Hut is a world-recognized leader of the pizza industry. A subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., Pizza Hut has more than 6,000 restaurants in the U.S. and more than 5,139 restaurants in 94 other countries and territories around the world. As a franchisee, you will align yourself with a nationally and internationally recognized brand and market share leader.
Sam & Louie’s
Min Investment: $75,000
In 2001, Sam & Louie’s launched its first pizza franchise and is currently experiencing rapid growth both in individual location sales and in the number of locations. For new franchisees, an exceptional training program includes both classroom and hands-on training in critical areas such as promotional activities, food preparation, customer service, administrative duties, problem solving and more.
Rosati’s
Min Investment: $80,000
Rosati’s Pizza founded its brand on providing customers with the original Italian recipes that have become a tradition of quality for five generations. Rosati’s offers operations training, marketing, vendor relationships, resources for financing options, an established brand image and ongoing support to owners. As a franchisee, you have the ability to own the newest Rosati’s Pizza Sports Pub concept and become a multi-unit owner.
Vocelli
Min Investment: $100,000
Vocelli Pizza is a 26-year old franchise that has withstood the test of time serving high-quality artisan pizzas and classic Italian dishes. Vocelli Pizza has approximately 2,000 employees and over 100 stores open and in development. The company has built a winning support team at the Franchise Support Center and prides itself on having a community of franchisees with an average tenure of over 12 years.
Pizza Ranch Franchise
Min Investment: $100,000
With more than 185 pizza franchise locations in 13 states, Pizza Ranch is the largest, most recognized pizza chain in the Midwest. Pizza Ranch is in very select company with other restaurant chains when it comes to growing same-store sales continually during the past three years. While franchising with Pizza Ranch allows you to go into business for yourself, you will not be by yourself. With a well-established and widely recognized brand, guests know they can expect quality and consistency in food and service.
Marco’s
Min Investment: $100,000
Among the top 25 pizza franchises in the U.S., only one was founded by a native Italian: Marco’s Pizza. Marco’s prides itself on authentic Italian artisan pizza, made with fresh, real ingredients and dough made in the store daily. Marco’s Pizza is in 36 states and three countries, and is aggressively planning to carve out a bigger piece of the $46 billion pizza industry.
Hungry Howie’s
Min Investment: $100,000
Hungry Howie’s serves customers great flavored crust pizza at an amazing value. Mouth watering seasonings baked into the edge of the pizza, make the last bite as good as the first. Others have tried to copy it, but Hungry Howie’s is the home of the Original Flavored Crust. Today, Hungry Howie’s Pizza is steadily approaching 600 stores located in 20 states with new franchise opportunities available. After 40 years in the pizza industry, Hungry Howie’s has emerged as one of the top pizza franchise operations in the nation.
Kono Pizza
Min Investment: $75,000
“The Original” Kono Pizza was first established in Edison, N.J. in 2013 by David Ragosa and Carlo Ruggiero. What started as a traditional brick-and-mortar pizza place has since evolved into a franchise that includes three new prototype models — a kiosk, mobile cart and in-line store — which gives franchisees an added level of variety and flexibility. Kono Pizza is served in a cone filled with fresh, quality ingredients, with its dough and sauce imported directly from Italy. It offers consumers a healthier, on-the-go alternative to one of their favorite foods. There are currently 130 Kono Pizza locations operating in 20 countries, with 15 additional locations in various stages of development across the United States.
Domino’s
Min Investment: $250,000
Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery. As of the second quarter of 2015 and through its global footprint, primarily made up of locally-owned and operated franchises, Domino’s operated a network of more than 11,900 franchised and company-owned stores in the United States and over 80 international markets. Domino’s has built its 50+ year success around its franchisees — independent business owners with a common vision and mission to be the number one pizza company in the world. Much of this success has come from our franchise business model, which is primarily an internally based franchise system.
CiCi’s Pizza
Min Investment: $135,000
Since 1985, CiCi’s Pizza been the price leader in offering the best custom pizza, pasta, soup, salad and dessert buffet in communities across the country. They continue to exceed guests’ expectations with high-quality food and service at over 500 of our pizza restaurants. They invite you to be a part of the CiCi’s family and learn more about joining one of the fastest-growing pizza chains. As part of its “Build the Brand” growth strategy initiative to recruit the best franchisees and secure the best restaurant sites, CiCi’s plans to double the number of restaurants in the next 10 years. CiCi’s is now actively seeking qualified multi-unit and single-unit operators to help grow the brand in existing markets and new regions across the country.
RedBrick Pizza
Min Investment: $100,000
Fast-casual restaurants are the fastest growing segment of the economy. In a busy world, people appreciate the benefits of eating out, and food that’s affordable, healthy, and quick is in high demand. RedBrick Pizza delivers on all counts. RedBrick pizzas bake in just 2 to 3 minutes in their 1000 degree brick ovens, meaning as a franchisee you can serve your hungry guests quickly. Once your location is open, RedBrick will support you with a complete advertisement program, buying power through our relationships with major US vendors, and ongoing product development to keep your menu fresh.
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