While Atlanta has served as the starting point for Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint’s path as one of the nation’s fastest-growing fast casual pizzeria; the market continues to be a priority for the franchisor. Local residents Al Brown and Mike Haines recently signed agreements to build eight units in communities throughout metro-Atlanta. Combined with the number of existing units, Uncle Maddio’s plans to add at least 20 locations over the next few years, bringing its presence in Atlanta to 30.
While Haines and Brown hail from different backgrounds, both remarked how Uncle Maddio’s experienced executives and its commitment to people, product, and process made the franchise a top choice.
Haines spent more than a decade working with major technology brands including Microsoft and Facebook, but got his start in the restaurant business. He will deliver new five Uncle Maddio’s locations to north Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Cobb counties.
Brown counts himself a lifelong entrepreneur, having developed multiple childcare and private school facilities throughout his 17 years in education. In addition, he previously franchised Snap Fitness. Brown plans to introduce three new Uncle Maddio’s locations across the West side of Atlanta in Douglasville, Hiram, Carrolton and Villa Rica.
“We’re incredibly pleased with the caliber of franchise partners we’ve brought on as we continue to grow Uncle Maddio’s national footprint. Not only do Mike Haines and Al Brown share our passion for pizza, but also operational excellence,” says Matt Andrew, founder of Uncle Maddio’s.
Andrew, who previously founded the fast casual concept Moe’s Southwest Grill, created Uncle Maddio’s in 2009. Blending personalized, fast service with quality ingredients, each pizza “joint” delivers freshly prepared customized pizzas fast for less than $7.
“It takes the idea of a personal pizza to the next level. Guests are able to choose from nearly 50 choices of premium ingredients, including classic go-to favorites like sausage and pepperoni, but also on-trend options like gluten free crust, local and organic vegetables,” Andrew says.
The broad menu is in line with results from Technomic’s recent Pizza Consumer Trend Report, where 65 percent of consumers polled shared a desire to see more restaurants or pizza establishments offer premium ingredients. In addition, 55 percent of survey participants wanted all-natural toppings.
The combination of chef- driven recipes, made-to-order pizzas, salads, and paninis has proven to be a successful model in Atlanta and beyond. The pizza concept currently operates 28 locations in 13 states. With plans to open 10 restaurants this year, Uncle Maddio’s expects a 200 percent growth rate in 2013, 2014, and 2015. More than 225 units are currently in development across the nation and throughout the metro-Atlanta area.
According to NPD Group’s food service unit Crest, the fast-food pizza market is a $32 billion annual industry, and fast casual concepts like Uncle Maddio’s are poised for continued growth.
