Pizza Fusion, a growing chain of organic pizza restaurants, was born from three passions shared by co-founders Vaughan Lazar and Michael Gordon: food, healthy eating, and the environment.
As they take their vision global, Vaughan, president, and Lazar, COO, are finding a ready audience of both consumers and franchisees in the niche they staked out when these college buddies started the business in July 2006: “Pioneering the organic and environmental restaurant movement as the most eco-friendly restaurant in America.”
Pizza Fusion began franchising in 2007 and now has 22 restaurants open, with more than 75 additional franchise commitments in 15 states. The development schedule calls for 28 to 30 units by year-end and 250 in 5 years.
The young brand has attracted some heavy hitters to its Fort Lauderdale offices. CEO Mark Begelman co-founded Office Club in 1986. After taking it public in 1989, he merged with Office Depot, where he was president and COO from 1991 to 1995. During that time the chain expanded from 127 to 460 stores and revenues rose from $900 million to $4.5 billion. Read full post.
