Uncle Maddio’s Pizza recently signed two three-unit franchise agreements for the greater Nashville metropolitan area. Franchisee, Michael Eastham, will open his first restaurant in Murfreesboro, Tennessee mid-November—and is currently searching for locations for his second and third units in Brentwood, Franklin or Hermitage. Mike and Dhara Chaudhary, experienced entrepreneurs and hospitality franchisees, have also signed on to open three Uncle Maddio’s units in the area.
Michael and his wife, Lauren, are set to open the second Tennessee (first in Knoxville) Uncle Maddio’s restaurant in Murfreesboro in the Shoppes of Northgate near Sprouts grocery store at 125 Wendlewood Drive. The couple has previously owned an in-home care service for seniors.
“What’s not to love about the fast casual pizza category?” says Eastham. “The food is incredible— high-quality, fresh and consistent—we just can’t go wrong with this potential.”
The Chaudharys have also signed on to open three Uncle Maddio’s units in the Nashville area. The business partners own and operate several enterprises throughout Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and New Jersey, but this is their first restaurant concept. In addition to a liquor store, their portfolio includes seven gas and convenience stores including Shell, BP, Exxon, Citgo, Valero and Phillips 66 as well as eight—soon to be nine—properties in the hospitality/hotel segment.
“Uncle Maddio’s has been a hit in Knoxville, so we have no doubt the concept will be welcomed across the state,” says Matt Andrew, Uncle Maddio’s CEO. “When evaluating potential franchisees, we target direct food service experience and related fields.”
The New York-style, handcrafted, fast casual pizza concept allows guests to build-their-own pizza, choosing from one of three crusts, including a gluten-free option, and 48 toppings, six sauces, 27 vegetables and 15 meats.
At this time, Uncle Maddio's has signed franchise agreements with 57 different entities in 15 states. Many of the franchisees have previous multi-unit experience with likes of Jimmy John's, Firehouse Subs, Dairy Queen, McDonalds, Burger King, Krystal, Papa John's, Domino's and Golden Corral. The franchise is on track to have 300 restaurants open in five years.
