CiCi's Pizza announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Fogle Enterprises Inc. to bring its first location to Branson, Missouri, by early spring 2015.
With nearly 500 restaurants in 33 states, Coppell, Texas–based CiCi’s Pizza is best known for its family-friendly atmosphere, endless variety of pizzas on its custom buffet, and made-from-scratch dough. The new Branson restaurant, located at 3460 W76 Country Blvd., will also house a large game room area to complement the family friendly atmosphere.
“CiCi’s is a great concept to bring to the Branson community and we found the perfect location on the Historic Highway 76 strip, just across from the White Water Branson waterpark,” says Nolan Fogle, owner of Fogle Enterprises. “With more than 20 years of restaurant experience in this area, we are thrilled to be able to expand our business, bring more affordable dining options to the area, and create about 50 jobs for local residents.”
Fogle says he always dreamed of owning his own restaurant. When he was younger, he was hired as a server to work the night shift at a local restaurant. Motivated to learn more, he would also come in during the day shift to learn more about restaurant management and operations. Now, he and his wife, Babette, are respected local restaurant managers and owners of The Great American Steak and Chicken House, The Baldknobbers Restaurant, The Fall Creek Steak and Catfish House, The Burger Shack, and Pasghetti’s Italian Restaurant, which is currently under construction.
In addition to the affordable food, variety, and family-friendly atmosphere, the new CiCi’s Pizza location will be well embraced in the Branson, Missouri, area because of the brand’s commitment to community outreach. Since the company’s inception, CiCi’s Pizza franchisees have crafted a charitable culture by partnering with local schools, churches and sports leagues.
“Our team is proud to welcome Nolan and Babette to our franchise system. I don’t believe that we could find a group that is better-equipped to help us expand the brand into the Branson community,” says CiCi’s CEO Darin Harris.
The entry into the Branson market is part of a much larger company mission to grow the brand in the coming years. To help augment brand growth in new and mature markets, CiCi’s Pizza has developed several financing and incentive programs to assist prospective franchisees with funding options. Over the next five years, the company will also explore growth potential internationally, as well as in nontraditional venues such as airports, casinos, military bases, and universities. CiCi’s offers both single and multiunit development opportunities.