Pizza Guys Franchises

Pizza Guys was founded in 1986 in Sacramento, California, by Shahpour Nejad and Reza Kalantari. The founders focused on handcrafted pizza, fresh, high quality ingredients, and genuine hospitality. Shahpour Nejad began working in the pizza business in 1979 at a restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio, while attending college. He later became a partner in multiple locations, brought his knowledge of traditional East Coast pizza to California in 1984, and adapted it to local tastes. The company is headquartered in Rancho Cordova, California, and its parent company is RSM, Inc. Pizza Guys began franchising in 1994 and now has 100 locations across California and Nevada. Announced plans for Texas and Arizona could more than double the current system. Leadership includes Shahpour Nejad as President, CEO, and Co Founder, Kamiar Nejad as Vice President of Innovations, Mike Morgan as Vice President of Operations, Anna Tran as Chief Financial Officer, Reza Kamalian as Director of Operations, Kim Bui as Director of Human Resources, and Ren Vang as Director of Marketing. Each location makes dough fresh daily and shreds 100% whole milk mozzarella cheese in house. Those practices distinguish the brand from mass market delivery chains and should be assessed alongside its California market presence, entry cost, and expansion plans.

Pizza serves as an everyday meal, a social occasion food, and a delivery category, supporting demand across economic cycles. Delivery and takeout have taken a larger share of pizza revenue as app based ordering, third party delivery platforms, and at home dining became more common after 2020. Regional chains have gained market share from national mega chains as some customers seek different flavors, fresher ingredients, and a local identity. The sector remains moderately fragmented. Several national brands have strong awareness, while regional operators can build loyal customer bases in defined markets. Demand for gourmet pizza and premium ingredients has also grown, including willingness to pay more for handcrafted products. Pizza Guys positions its menu around whole milk mozzarella, fresh dough, gourmet pizzas, pasta dishes, chicken wings, and salads. This market context may support entry into Dallas Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin, although each location still requires local market analysis.

The 2025 and 2026 Franchise Disclosure Documents list an initial franchise fee of $25,000. Established pizza brands often charge between $30,000 and $50,000 for comparable concepts. The estimated initial investment ranges from approximately $146,000 to $428,000. Leasehold improvements range from $78,000 to $251,000, depending on the condition of the space, construction costs in the geographic market, and the landlord's tenant improvement allowance. Equipment and furnishings cost between $70,000 and $112,000 when purchased outright. Leasing equipment can bring the total investment to between $146,300 and $334,600. Other listed costs include a grand opening budget of $7,500, lease advance rent and deposit of $2,000 to $6,000, construction project manager fees of $1,000 to $3,500, signage of $5,500, insurance of $1,800 to $2,600, miscellaneous opening costs of $3,000 to $6,000, opening inventory of approximately $7,500, and a three month additional funds reserve of $10,000. The current FDD gives a total investment range of $211,300 to $427,600 with purchased equipment. A separate 2025 source lists $215,500 to $476,950. Ongoing charges include a royalty of 5% of gross sales. Candidates are expected to show net worth of $200,000 to $500,000 and liquid capital of $125,000 to $300,000. These thresholds may suit individual owner operators and small investment groups that cannot meet the $500,000 or more in liquid capital required by some premium pizza concepts.

A Pizza Guys restaurant uses a delivery and carryout model rather than a full dine in format. That structure removes front of house service staff, can reduce space requirements, and concentrates labor on food production and order fulfillment. Each store must prepare dough fresh daily and shred whole milk mozzarella in house, so operators need trained production staff and consistent process control. Staffing centers on kitchen efficiency and order accuracy. Mike Morgan's operations team provides continuing guidance to the system, which has over 100 locations. Franchisee training covers fresh dough preparation, cheese handling, recipe execution, and the business management needs of a quick service pizza operation. The menu includes gourmet pizzas, pasta dishes, chicken wings, salads, and side orders, serving lunch, dinner, and group orders. Territory structure and exclusivity are set out in the franchise agreement, so buyers should request territory maps for their target market. Expansion into Texas and Arizona indicates that the company is developing territory infrastructure there. Early entrants may find real estate and competitive conditions different from those in established California markets.

Buyers must build return projections from outside benchmarks and system indicators rather than franchisor certified unit economics. The system grew from 69 stores in April 2022 to 87 locations by November 2023, reached over 95 locations in recent tracking, and reports 100 locations through the franchise website. That represents approximately 30 net additional locations in roughly two years. These figures are industry benchmarks, not Pizza Guys results. Pizza Guys ranked 354 on Franchise Times' 2024 Top 400 Franchises list. It was also named a Top 5 Fastest Growing Pizza Chain and a Top 25 Pizza Chain in the USA for 2025. The brand received the Best Pizza Gold award in 2024.

Pizza Guys has expanded from a California centered regional chain into a multi state operator. The system grew from 69 stores in April 2022 to 87 locations by November 2023 and 100 locations according to the most current franchise website information. In November 2023, the company announced a Texas plan targeting nearly 150 stores. That plan includes over 50 locations in Dallas Fort Worth, over 50 in the Houston area, approximately 20 in San Antonio, and nearly 20 in Austin. If completed, the plan would more than double the current system and broaden the brand beyond its Western U.S. regional base. Arizona expansion is also in progress. In April 2022, the company announced plans for 15 additional stores south of Los Angeles in the San Diego area. The brand's operating history dates back 38 years and includes consumer recognition in California. Its operating model emphasizes fresh ingredients, while its investment threshold may support unit growth. The leadership team has defined roles in innovations, operations, marketing, and finance. Pizza Guys received Top 100 Mover and Shaker recognition from 2023 to 2025. Its presence in California and Nevada also gives the company experience with multi unit operators and consumer loyalty data that may inform Texas and Arizona entry.

A suitable franchisee may have liquid capital of $125,000 to $300,000, net worth of $200,000 to $500,000, and prior food service management experience. Candidates without that background need the ability to hire and manage a kitchen and delivery team. The delivery and carryout model can fit an owner operator who wants active involvement without running a full dining room. Fresh dough and in house cheese preparation require consistent daily production, either through direct management or a capable kitchen manager. The Texas plan targeting nearly 150 stores may create multi unit development opportunities for experienced area developers. Texas and Arizona candidates may seek territories before those markets reach the density of California, where the brand has operated for 38 years. The franchise agreement's term and renewal provisions should be reviewed in the current FDD because they affect the time available to recover build out costs and the calculation of future resale value. Candidates with multi unit restaurant management experience, real estate negotiation skills, or existing operating infrastructure in the target markets may be prepared for this expansion phase.

Pizza Guys combines a 38 year operating history, 100 locations, a $25,000 franchise fee, and estimated investment figures ranging from approximately $146,000 to $428,000. Its announced growth plan targets nearly 150 Texas locations and additional Arizona markets. Third party recognition includes position 354 on the Franchise Times 2024 Top 400 Franchises list, Top 5 Fastest Growing Pizza Chain status, Top 25 Pizza Chain in the USA recognition for 2025, and the Best Pizza Gold award in 2024. PeerSense provides independent franchise research that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools for pizza and quick service restaurant franchise opportunities. The Pizza Guys Loan Activity Score is 63 and is categorized as Moderate. Buyers should use these materials, the current FDD, and conversations with franchisees to assess costs, market conditions, unit economics, and expansion requirements. PeerSense introduces franchise buyers to SBA and conventional lenders for financing discussions and is not a lender.