Pizza is one of the most popular and profitable foods in America, with 93% of Americans eating it at least once a month. It’s a low-cost way to feed a family while providing variety through its toppings. Take-out and delivery are also a huge part of this and pizza from franchise restaurants is central to this market.
When it comes to pizza franchises, the choices are as diverse as the toppings that adorn their pies. The market is a dynamic landscape, a mix of well-established names and innovative newcomers vying for a slice of the market.
However, choosing the best pizza franchise to invest in is no trivial task. It’s a strategic decision that combines a passion for great food with a keen understanding of business dynamics.
This comprehensive guide takes a deep dive into the realm of pizza franchises. We’ll explore the best of the best, and uncover what makes them stand out. Keep reading to learn more about opening the best franchise business.
Domino’s
Domino’s is the largest pizza company in the world by global sales. It boasts over 17,000 locations in more than 90 countries. This means you can tap into both local and international markets.
Investors are required to pay an initial franchise fee of $25,000 per restaurant or $10,000 if operating more than one unit. The continuing royalty fee is 5.5% of net sales while the advertising fee is 4% of net sales.
Domino’s is known for its fast and reliable delivery service, as well as its innovative technology and menu options. It was among the first to popularize online ordering, mobile apps, voice assistants, and GPS tracking for its drivers. Its menu also features various pizza options and sides, attracting a wide range of tastes.
Domino’s has a loyal customer base and strong brand recognition. It also has a proven business model that has been successful for over 60 years. Moreover, it’s constantly investing in research and development to improve its products and services.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is the largest pizza company in the world by number of locations, making it one of the best franchises you can invest in. It has over 18,000 locations in more than 100 countries.
The initial franchise fee is $25,000 per restaurant or $20,000 if operating more than one unit. You’re required to pay a royalty fee of 6% of net sales and advertising costs 4.25% of the net sales.
Pizza Hut is famous for its pan pizzas, stuffed crusts, and specialty pizzas. It also offers wings, pasta, sides, desserts, and drinks. Pizza Hut caters to different customer preferences and occasions, with dine-in, delivery, carryout, and catering options.
Pizza Hut has a long history and a global presence. It was founded in 1958 and has been franchising since 1959. It has a strong brand awareness and a loyal customer base. It also supports various social causes and community initiatives.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars stands out as a rapidly expanding pizza chain globally. It boasts more than 5,500 outlets across 50 states and 24 countries. The initial franchise cost ranges from $15,000 to $20,000 for each restaurant.
However, this drops to $10,000 – $15,000 per restaurant if you manage multiple units. The ongoing royalty fee equals 6% of net sales, while the advertising fee corresponds to 4% of net sales.
Famous for its Hot-N-Ready pizzas that can be collected without prior orders, Little Caesars also provides an array of other items. These include as pizzas, wings, breadsticks, sauces, desserts, and beverages. The brand’s primary focus centers on offering customers great value and maximum convenience.
Little Caesars has a simple and efficient business model that requires low overhead and labor costs. It was founded in 1959 and has been franchising since 1962.
It has since built a strong brand identity and a loyal customer base. Little Caesars also supports various charitable causes and community programs.
Papa John’s
Papa John’s is a big player when it comes to pizza franchises. It got its start way back in 1984 when John Schnatte sold his Camaro to keep his dad’s tavern running. He used the money to turn the tavern into a pizza shop.
The brand has since grown to become a household name. With over 5300 locations in 49 states and 45 countries, it’s one of the largest pizza delivery companies in the world.
The initial franchise fee is $25,000 per restaurant. The continuing royalty fee is 5% of net sales and the advertising fee is 8% of net sales.
Papa John’s is known for its high-quality ingredients and fresh dough made daily. It also offers other pizzas, sides, desserts, and drinks. Papa John’s strives to provide exceptional service and customer satisfaction.
Papa Murphy’s
Headquartered in Vancouver, Washington, this pizza powerhouse has carved a unique niche in the industry. With annual sales reaching $827 million and a whopping 1,162 stores across the U.S., Papa Murphy’s is making waves.
The secret to its success is freshness, largely due to its innovative “take-and-bake” concept.” Rather than offering pre-cooked pizza, Papa Murphy’s hands you a fresh, uncooked pizza to bake at home. This ensures that customers sink their teeth into the piping-hot, just-out-of-the-oven goodness.
The initial franchise fee is $25,000 per restaurant ($15,000 per restaurant if you operate more than one unit). The continuing royalty fee is 5% of gross sales and the advertising fee is 2% of gross sales.
Papa Murphy’s also has a strong brand recognition and a loyal customer base. It also supports various local and national causes.
Marco’s Pizza
Marco’s Pizza is known for its authentic Italian flavors and commitment to quality. Founded in 1978 by Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco, who sought to bring the true taste of Italy to America. Over the years, the brand has carved out a distinct niche for itself in the world of pizza.
What sets Marco’s Pizza apart is its unwavering dedication to using the freshest and finest ingredients. Every aspect of their offerings is crafted with care and attention, from their signature sauce to the hand-tossed dough made daily. This has earned them a loyal following of pizza enthusiasts who appreciate the difference that genuine ingredients make.
Marco’s Pizza also offers a variety of delicious options. This includes subs, salads, and cheesy breadsticks. However, their heart and soul are in their authentic Italian pizzas.
The classic “Cheezy Bread” and “White Cheezy” pizzas showcase their mastery of cheese and herbs. On the other hand, specialty pies like the “Deluxe Uno” and “All Meat” help satisfy the cravings of those seeking generous toppings.
Marco’s Pizza has actively supported local communities through various initiatives. For instance, “Marco’s Pizza School Challenge,” encourages reading and education among students.
Marco’s Pizza has a high customer satisfaction rating, and a strong growth potential. Those who wish to become part of their success enjoy various benefits. Marco’s Pizza provides a comprehensive training program, support for day-to-day operations, and tools to start your franchise.
Hungry Howie’s Pizza
If you are looking for a pizza franchise opportunity, you might want to consider Hungry Howie’s Pizza. This is a well-established pizza chain that operates in 21 states and has more than 550 locations.
To become a franchisee, you need to pay a one-time fee of $25,000 per restaurant, or $20,000 if you have multiple units. You also need to pay a royalty fee of 5.5% of your gross sales, but there is no advertising fee.
Hungry Howie’s Pizza is famous for its flavored crusts and delivery service. You can choose from eight different crust flavors and a variety of toppings.
Besides pizzas, Hungry Howie’s Pizza also sells calzones, salads, breads, wings, desserts, and drinks. You can offer your customers great value and a wide selection of products.
Hungry Howie’s Pizza has been in business since 1973 and has been franchising since 1982. It has a loyal fan base and strong brand recognition.
It also has a competitive advantage over other pizza chains with its unique crusts and delivery service. Hungry Howie’s Pizza is also committed to giving back to the community and supporting various causes and programs.
Russo’s New York Pizzeria
Russo’s isn’t just some new kid on the block. Their family recipes, whcih, use fresh, natural, non-GMO ingredients, are over 100 years old. Dough is made fresh daily – all baked to perfection in brick ovens.
With Russo’s, you’ll offer customers the option of sit-down dining, delivery, takeout, and even catering. These options provide the franchisee with multiple revenue opportunities.
To open a Russo’s you’ll need a minimum of $150,000 cash on hand and can expect to invest between $450,000 – $750,000.
MOD Pizza
Another best franchise you might want to consider is MOD Pizza. It’s a popular pizza chain that operates in 28 states and five countries, with more than 480 locations.
To open a MOD Pizza franchise, you need to pay a one-time fee of $30,000 and a royalty fee of 5% of gross sales. There is no additional fee for advertising.
MOD Pizza stands out from other pizza chains by offering customers the ability to customize their own pizzas from a variety of toppings, sauces, cheeses, and crusts. The pizzas are then cooked in a fast-fire oven and ready in minutes.
MOD Pizza also serves salads, sides, desserts, and beverages to complete the meal. Customers can enjoy their pizzas in the restaurant, order online, get delivery, takeout, or catering services.
MOD Pizza is one of the newer franchises as it was established in 2008 and started franchising in 2009. It has a loyal fan base, a strong brand identity, and a competitive advantage in the pizza market.
MOD Pizza also cares about social responsibility and community involvement. It supports various causes such as hunger relief, youth development, and animal welfare.
Cici’s Pizza
Cici’s Pizza is one of the best pizza franchises in the US, with more than 400 restaurants across 32 states serving millions of customers every year. The franchise fee for opening a Cici’s Pizza restaurant is $30,000, and the ongoing fees are 4% of gross sales for royalty and 3% of gross sales for advertising.
At Cici’s Pizza, customers can enjoy an unlimited pizza buffet at an affordable price. They can choose from a variety of pizzas, including traditional, deep dish, stuffed crust, and flatbread.
They can also enjoy other dishes, such as pasta, salads, soups, desserts, and beverages. The chain aims to offer value and variety to its customers, as well as a fun and friendly dining experience.
Cici’s Pizza has a rich history and a loyal fan base. It was founded in 1985 by Joe Croce and Mike Cole in Plano, Texas. It started franchising in 1987 and expanded rapidly across the country.
It has strong brand recognition and a competitive advantage in the pizza buffet market. Cici’s Pizza also cares about giving back to the community and supports various charitable causes and programs.
Jet’s Pizza
If you are looking for a profitable and popular franchise, you might want to consider Jet’s Pizza. It’s one of the largest pizza chains in the US, with a loyal customer base and a strong reputation. Jet’s Pizza has over 380 locations in 20 states, and it is still growing.
The initial franchise fee is $20,000 per restaurant, which is lower than some of its competitors. The 10% continuing royalty fee is higher than average but reflects the quality and support that Jet’s Pizza provides to its franchisees.
There is no advertising fee, which means that you can save money on marketing and focus on delivering great pizzas.
Jet’s Pizza is famous for its Detroit-style square deep-dish pizzas, which are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The pizzas are made with fresh dough, premium cheese, and homemade sauce. You can choose from a variety of toppings and sizes, or create your own custom pizza.
Jet’s Pizza also offers other pizzas, such as thin crust, hand-tossed, and New York style. In addition, you can order salads, subs, wings, breadsticks, and desserts to complete your meal. Jet’s Pizza has something for everyone, whether you want a quick lunch, a family dinner, or a party catering.
What’s the Best Pizza Franchise for You?
With the best pizza franchise options like Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Little Caesars, and more, you’re spoiled for choice. Each brand brings its own unique flavor to the table, from global reach to innovative concepts.
If you’re ready to take a slice of success in this world, we are here to help. From finding out if franchising is for you to financing your franchise, we’ll help you make informed decisions. Browse our collection of the best pizza franchises for you.
