Blackjack Pizza & Salads

Blackjack Pizza Salads was founded on June 29, 1983, by Vince Schmuhl in Federal Heights, Colorado. Schmuhl had worked for Domino's Pizza and saw demand in the Denver metro and broader Rocky Mountain corridor for higher quality pizza delivery than national chains offered. The second store opened in Greeley, Colorado, in February 1984. By 1986, the company had six corporate owned stores and one franchisee. Blackjack became a franchisor in 1988 and adopted an owner operator model requiring personal involvement in each store. Askar Brands acquired the company in 2013. Today, Blackjack Pizza Salads has between 40 and 42 stores across five states. The global pizza foodservice market was valued at approximately $295.92 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $455.65 billion by 2031, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 7.46%. The brand competes as a regional alternative to national pizza chains in the Rocky Mountain region.

U.S. consumers spent approximately $42.1 billion at quick service pizza establishments in 2024, nearly 2% more than the prior year. Pizza delivery accounted for approximately $16.9 billion in U.S. consumer spending that year, which fits Blackjack's carryout and delivery model. North America held 39.18% of the global pizza foodservice market in 2025. Demand is supported by delivery platforms, fusion flavors influenced by Mexican, Greek, Korean, and Indian traditions, and growing interest in gluten free options. Food delivery robots, front of house kiosks, and mobile ordering and payment systems are changing operating costs. North America held 31% of the global full service restaurant market in 2025, which was estimated at $1.59 trillion worldwide, and the North American segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% through 2035. Regional pizza delivery remains fragmented outside the three dominant national chains, leaving room for local operators in secondary and tertiary markets.

Reported total initial investment ranges from $226,500 to $611,000, with geography, lease rates, leasehold improvements, and equipment specifications affecting the amount. Other disclosure sources report ranges of $375,800 to $552,700 and $168,300 to $392,300, depending on format and market conditions. At least one recent source cites a minimum total investment of $500,000 for current openings. Reported franchise fees range from $15,000 to $40,000, with $40,000 more commonly cited currently. Comparable regional pizza operators typically charge $25,000 to $50,000. Qualified U.S. military veterans may receive 25% off the setup fee. Reported liquid capital requirements range from $150,000 to $300,000, with $150,000 most commonly cited. Net worth requirements range from $300,000 to $600,000. The royalty is 5% of gross sales, plus a $1,000 monthly advertising fee. Blackjack is SBA approved, and its corporate team helps identify third party financing sources, while each franchisee remains responsible for financing. A typical carryout and delivery store occupies 1,200 to 1,600 square feet. The initial franchise agreement lasts ten years and includes renewal options.

Blackjack Pizza Salads operates only as a carryout and delivery concept. The brand does not support passive ownership, so franchisees are expected to participate in daily management, staffing, and community relationships. Stores generally use 1,200 to 1,600 square feet, with labor focused on production, order management, and delivery logistics. Initial training includes approximately 210 hours of in store instruction covering inventory control, ordering, purchasing, and daily production. Prior pizza experience is not required. The corporate team assists with site selection and buildout layouts, sourcing, project timelines, and access to a purchasing and supply chain network. Franchisees receive a Development and Certification Manual for training and ongoing operations. A corporate representative attends each new franchisee's grand opening. Field Operations staff provide store visits, best practice guidance, and management seminars. Franchisees entering new markets must sign a 3 store Development Agreement. Marketing support includes coupon programs and customer loyalty initiatives intended to encourage repeat purchases.

At that revenue level, the 5% royalty would equal approximately $74,500 annually, while the $1,000 monthly advertising fee would total $12,000, for approximately $86,500 in combined franchisor directed fees before food, labor, occupancy, and other expenses. Typical pizza delivery benchmarks place food costs at 28% to 34% of revenue and labor costs at 25% to 32%. Dale Roberts, a 35 year pizza industry veteran with multiple units in Northern Colorado, has said that quality is the most important thing at Blackjack. He also reported that 80% of pizzas are hand tossed originals, with dough made in house and vegetables hand cut on site. These practices may support premium pricing but can require more labor.

Blackjack has pursued slow, controlled growth since its founding and most recently operated between 40 and 42 stores across five states. Askar Brands' 2013 acquisition added organizational infrastructure and support, while the brand remained concentrated in the western and southern United States. A 1,400 square foot carryout and delivery store was planned for Fort Collins, Colorado, in January 2023. Products are made in house, including pizza dough, bread, salad dressings, and sauces, with fresh ingredients and never frozen cheese blends. Blackjack is also pursuing expansion into GCC and MENA markets. Available expansion states are Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. Mobile ordering, loyalty app integration, and delivery logistics optimization are becoming standard technology requirements in pizza delivery. Franchisees receive corporate marketing support for customer acquisition and retention.

The intended franchisee is an engaged owner operator with management discipline and community involvement, rather than a passive investor. No pizza experience is required because of the 210 hour training program, although restaurant management, multi unit retail, or customer service leadership experience may reduce the learning curve. Candidates should be prepared to show $150,000 to $300,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of $300,000 to $600,000, depending on the market and agreement structure. New market entrants must commit to a 3 store Development Agreement, making the concept better suited to investors planning a multi unit presence than to a single store lifestyle business. Territories cover 17 states, with concentration in the Sun Belt and Mountain West. The ten year agreement term with renewal options supports long term planning. Daily involvement in operations, quality control, and community relationships is central to the owner operator model, as reflected by Dale Roberts in Northern Colorado and Ryan and Desiree Sirowy in Brighton, Colorado, who identify family values and community service as central to their approach.

Its Loan Activity Score is 55, classified as Moderate by independent analysis. The 5% royalty, $1,000 monthly advertising fee, SBA approval, 25% veteran discount, and Askar Brands ownership since 2013 should be assessed alongside the buyer's capital structure, territory availability, and operating capacity. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm, not a lender. It provides exclusive due diligence data that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools for evaluating Blackjack Pizza Salads against pizza and quick service restaurant franchises.