Operations
By prioritizing product integrity, franchisee assist, and group belief over short-term tendencies, Pizza Guys has achieved 40 years of sustainable progress and model loyalty.
Photograph: Pizza Guys
February 26, 2026 by Shahpour Nejad — Founder/PRESIDENT/CEO, Pizza Guys Franchises Inc.
Within the restaurant enterprise, particularly in pizza, 40 years is a very long time. You see tendencies change and watch manufacturers come and go. After 4 a long time constructing Pizza Guys with my accomplice Reza Kalantari, I’ve gained a transparent perspective on what it actually takes to create a model with endurance.
Like many restaurant manufacturers, we have confronted many challenges over time: labor shortages, rising meals prices and financial downturns. These challenges aren’t new and sure will not go away. What issues is the way you reply to them. For us, the reply has at all times been easy: hear carefully to our prospects and our franchisees, by no means lower corners and do issues the suitable approach. Whereas it may be tempting to compromise in instances of stress, we have succeeded by doubling down on consistency and teamwork. Defending the integrity of our product and supporting our franchisees has allowed a lot of our operators to construct sustainable, multi-unit companies. By leaning into our techniques, complete coaching, and peer assist, we have now grown collectively as a group.
40 years of incomes loyalty
One in all our largest triumphs is reaching this 40-year milestone. We began with a single pizza restaurant and grew right into a franchise system with greater than 101 places and a loyal buyer base. Alongside the best way, we have now seen households develop up with Pizza Guys as a part of their routine. We have now additionally seen franchisees construct thriving companies that assist their households and communities. These moments are highly effective reminders {that a} restaurant model can turn into a part of folks’s lives, not only a place to eat.
As we have now scaled all through the years, a key side of what obtained us right here is staying true to our authentic mission. From day one, our focus has been high quality meals with folks because the precedence. This mission hasn’t modified. By investing in robust coaching packages, we have now strengthened the instruments and assets that assist this mission. Specializing in robust coaching and hands-on assist for franchisees helps preserve requirements throughout the system. When operators are well-trained and supported, prospects obtain the expertise they anticipate.
On the identical time, a model can not stand nonetheless for 40 years. We have now launched new menu objects, improved ordering expertise and frequently responded to buyer and franchisee suggestions. For us, evolving shouldn’t be about chasing each development; it is about enhancing the client’s expertise whereas holding the normal recipes and qualities folks know us for.
One of the rewarding components of this journey has been watching franchisees succeed past their first retailer. Throughout California, operators have constructed secure groups, navigated financial cycles and created companies that assist their households and communities for the long run. Their success tales are the clearest proof that our method of regular progress, hands-on assist, and operational self-discipline works.
Group
Group has additionally performed a significant position in our journey. Pizza Guys has at all times been a neighborhood enterprise at coronary heart. Our tradition is constructed on laborious work and treating folks with respect. That tradition exhibits up in how our groups function and within the expertise prospects have in our shops. When a enterprise is a part of its group, it builds belief that goes past transactions, and that type of loyalty can’t be purchased.
Franchising has taught me many classes about management and progress. A wholesome franchise system is dependent upon robust unit-level economics and well-supported operators. If franchisees aren’t outfitted for fulfillment, enlargement will not be sustainable. One lesson I usually share with different entrepreneurs is do not develop quicker than your capacity to assist that progress. Endurance, consistency and investing in your persons are crucial to defending your model for the long run.
For anybody constructing a customer-focused enterprise, my recommendation is simple: keep affected person, keep constant and by no means lose sight of why you began. Once you deal with high quality, folks and long-term relationships, you give your model the muse it must final.
