CiCi's Pizza, the nearly 500-unit national pizza buffet concept, has recently announced a partnership with Newmark Grubb Knight Frank (NGKF), one of the world's leading commercial real estate advisory firms, to help achieve the brand's strategic development goals in the Northeast. The addition of NGKF brings a business opportunity to potential CiCi's Pizza franchise owners.
Coppell, Texas-based CiCi's Pizza has a presence in 34 states and is best known for its family-friendly atmosphere, variety of pizzas on its custom buffet, and freshly-made dough at an affordable price. Through extensive research, CiCi's Pizza has already identified specific markets for expansion within the Northeast including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Buffalo, New York, Philadelphia, and northern New Jersey. The new relationship with NGKF will help expedite the franchise's growth.
"Joining forces with one of the most respected and talented broker firms gives us the resources to reach our expansion goals," says Thomas McCord, vice president of real estate and franchise development. "We will be able to give our franchisees and prospects access to a full-service platform that will assist in their success. We're looking forward to working with a partner who sees the big picture, who understands our customer and has the resources, knowledge, and tools to support CiCi's in achieving our strategic development objectives."
To successfully and efficiently grow the brand, NGKF will leverage its broad relationships to promote the expansion of CiCi's Pizza into new and existing markets. NGKF's on-the-ground expertise and knowledge of the local market will enhance CiCi's Pizza's own advanced technology and extensive site model research. Experienced advisors at NGKF will work with CiCi's Pizza franchisees directly to assist in site selection, site renewals, lease negotiations and can refer construction and finance specialists.
"We are excited about the opportunity to partner with CiCi's Pizza on a regional level to help them achieve their growth initiatives. CiCi's Pizza is a strong brand in the franchising world and one that has the legs to expand exponentially in the Northeast," says Jennifer Watson, senior managing director at NGKF Retail. "By partnering with NGKF, CiCi's Pizza will benefit from our extensive real estate experience to ensure that they meet their long-term development goals."
This partnership is part of a much larger company mission to strategically grow the brand in the coming years. To help augment brand expansion in new and mature markets, CiCi's Pizza has developed several financing and incentive programs, including its Investment Partnership Program designed to assist existing and prospective franchisees with creative financing options. During 2014, the company will also explore growth potential internationally in Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, as well as in nontraditional venues such as airports, casinos, military bases, and universities.
