No matter how you slice it, restaurant franchise investors are hungry for more.
Stevi B’s Pizza announced a strategic franchising initiative targeting select metropolitan areas nationwide.
“We couldn’t be happier about the momentum behind our brand. We are in prime position to expand with seasoned, community-oriented restaurant owner/operator groups who want to incorporate a winning concept into their portfolios,” says Matthew Loney, CEO and president of the Atlanta-based pizza buffet chain. “Stevi B’s Pizza already has tremendous loyalty from families in the markets we serve. Now, the pieces are in place to bring the one and only Stevi B’s Pizza family-friendly experience to even more communities.”
Best known for delivering a customizable dining experience that the whole family can enjoy, Stevi B’s Pizza’s well-crafted franchise plans include adding five new franchise units within the next six months. On the verge of celebrating the opening of its 50th unit in early 2014, the company projects reaching 100 new units by 2018, with a focus on expanding its presence from its core Southeastern U.S. base.
The growth strategy has the full support of Argonne Capital Group, a private investment firm. Best known for making restaurant concepts such as Applebees, IHOP, and Krystal household names throughout the Southeast, the firm recognized the value of Stevi B’s Pizza. In 2008, Argonne acquired the brand and has doubled the size of the company’s footprint.
“Stevi B’s Pizza is in a league of its own,” says Lee Zimmerman, director of new store development for the pizza buffet concept. “The quality of our pizza surpasses others in our segment, we have a proven brand with more than 15 years of building a phenomenal fan base, the environment is unlike any other, and, most importantly, the performance of our restaurants has been solid amid a challenging economic climate.”
These differentiators are combined with a commitment to the community. Through school partnerships, Little League sponsorships, and community events, Stevi B’s Pizza aims to create a neighborhood feel that brings its customers back and drives loyalty among brand advocates. Fundraising partnerships with the community-based groups have proven to generate customer traffic to the restaurants throughout the week. They have positioned Stevi B’s Pizza as the neighborhood gathering spot for many community organizations.
“We cherish our uniqueness, and that can be seen in our family-friendly environment and on our menu. There’s no denying that these factors have helped Stevi B’s Pizza earn the respect and attention of serious players in the restaurant industry. The brand’s performance speaks for itself,” Loney says. “We’ll grow our unit count by nearly 20 percent in 2013, and 2014 stands to be an even larger growth phase.”
Stevi B's Pizza stretches across ten states, with 7 corporate and 41 franchised locations. In addition to opening a new restaurant in Madison, Alabama early next month, the brand projects to open new units early next year in metro Atlanta and Savannah, Ga.
“As we grow and evolve, the value we provide our customers will never change,” Zimmerman says. “The feeling you get when you walk through the door of a Stevi B’s Pizza Buffet is unmistakable, and we will not let that get away from us. We provide the wholesome atmosphere families crave.”
The Stevi B’s Pizza menu offerings include an assortment of pizzas, salads, bread sticks, and desserts that are made from fresh ingredients. The buffet has something for everyone in the family, from the brand’s signature Loaded Baked Potato, Hot Wing, or Mac and Cheese Pizzas to the new Thin Crust Greek and Chicken Pesto options.
Stevi B’s Pizza stays on the cutting edge of culinary trends with new menu introductions, such as its whole-wheat crust, which is available for any pizza.
