Mountain Mike’s Pizza, LLC, a leading family-style pizza chain with more than 200 franchised restaurants throughout California and the Western U.S, announced it has been ranked No. 154 of the nation’s top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur magazine’s coveted 2019 Franchise 500 List, to which over 1,000 companies applied. In addition to landing in the top 30 percent of franchise brands overall, Mountain Mike’s Pizza is ranked No. 8 within the extremely competitive pizza segment.
“Being this is the first time Mountain Mike’s has applied for Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, and the first full year of business since the brand was acquired in 2017, we’re thrilled to be recognized among the best franchise systems in the nation,” says Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, Co-CEOs and Principal Owners of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. “Celebrating 40 years of success, Mountain Mike’s is an established and beloved family pizza concept that continues to achieve impressive unit growth and positive systemwide sales year over year. We are encouraged by what we’ve accomplished so far and have big development plans for 2019 and beyond.”
With a proven area development franchise model perfected over four decades, Mountain Mikes has experienced a 10 percent surge in total system sales for the past two years and anticipates increased traffic and profitability for the foreseeable future. Having opened a total of 17 new stores in 2018 with zero closures, Mountain Mike’s Pizza surpassed its 200th unit milestone and will continue its momentum with the expected opening of more than 27 new locations in 2019.
“As we celebrate 40 years of producing the Franchise 500, it’s a good opportunity to step back and look at how much has changed since that first ranking in 1980,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur. “While the franchise business model has changed little, the strongest franchise brands are constantly evolving and innovating to keep up with changing trends and technology.”
Jim Metevier, President & COO of Mountain Mike’s Pizza, adds, “Our consistently strong sales and growing pipeline is proof that there is a real demand for a family-friendly pizza experience that Mountain Mike’s provides. We’re looking forward to expanding into markets in need of family-centered dining options, and welcoming new franchise partners to the Mountain Mike’s family.”
The over 200-unit brand is primed to continue expansion in existing and untapped markets by extending opportunities to both longtime franchisees and new franchise partners looking to expand their portfolios with a popular family pizza concept.
