DC-area pizza chain &pizza announced earlier this year that it will be expanding through franchising. Now, the first franchise deal has been announced, right in DC.
&pizza is known for its oval-shaped pies, with several signature creations as well as a build-your-own model.
CEO Mike Burns aims to expand the company from about 45 stores to 300 by 2030 through franchising, The Washington Business Journal reported. Currently, &pizza has locations in DC, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Of those, 12 are in NoVA, including one in Dulles International Airport.
“Everybody loves it. There’s a need for it in the market. Potential franchisees have been reaching out for years trying to franchise this brand, and to me to be at 45 restaurants, or 46 with a couple of airport units, is a shame,” Burns said on a podcast with FastCasual.com.
The first franchisee is Isaiah Williams, who has acquired three of the brand’s existing locations. Williams will take over the locations at 1118 H St. NE (its original location), 1210 Half St. SE in Navy Yard, and 1250 U St. NW.
The company’s website now features a tab with an interest form for potential franchisees.
Feature image by Maggie Roth
