Paisano’s, a six-unit gourmet pizza delivery chain based in Fairfax County, Virginia, announced that it is franchising in Maryland.

“This marks the beginning of huge things for Paisano’s,” says CEO Fouad Qreitem. “It was only within the past 10 days we were awarded franchising rights to Virginia; now with Maryland added, let me say that on behalf of the entire Paisano’s family, we can’t wait to have Marylanders experience the Paisano’s difference.”

A total of 17 targeted locations in Maryland have been identified by the newly formed Paisano’s Franchise System Inc. Qreitem cites communities that include Laurel, Bowie, Beltsville, Clinton, Annapolis, Potomac, Bethesda, Rockville, Olney, Waldorf, and Columbia, among others, as targets. Company-owned Paisano’s outlets are open in the Virginia locations of Chantilly, Fair Lakes, Fairfax City, Herndon, Reston, and Centreville.

“The greater Washington, D.C. area is a highly desirable, comparatively stable marketplace with phenomenal demographics and a consistent pattern of growth,” Qreitem says. “We’re truly excited to be expanding the Paisano’s footprint into Maryland.”

To aid in this expansion, Paisano’s Franchise System teamed up with Franchise Consulting LLC. The Fairfax, Virginia–based firm was tasked with growing Paisano’s to 50 units over the next five years.

“I have every confidence that Franchise Consulting CEO Mike Halpern and his great franchise development team will effectively direct our expansion into the targeted Virginia-Maryland-District of Columbia marketplace and eventually, beyond,” Qreitem says.