Leading Family-Style Pizza Chain Also Climbs 17 Spots to #139 in Prestigious Industry Ranking
Newport Beach, CA (-) Mountain Mike’s Pizza, LLC, a leading family-style pizza chain for more than 40 years, known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperoni, Mountain-sized pizzas, toppings to the edge, and dough made fresh daily, has proudly been named as a top 150 restaurant brand in Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN) 2022 Top 500 Report, jumping 17 spots to #139. Partnered with Datassential, the annual report ranks the nation’s restaurant brands by domestic systemwide sales, revealing an in-depth look at the performance of the industry’s biggest players.
Beyond the ranking, the report also revealed that Mountain Mike’s Pizza had the fastest growth in average unit volume (AUV) of the country’s top 30 pizza chains. In 2021, Mountain Mike’s Pizza AUV reached nearly $1.1 million, an increase of more than 30% compared to 2019. Further, 2022 is on track to significantly surpass 2021’s record breaking sales levels with first quarter AUVs showing the top 25% of locations averaging $1.62 million in sales and the top 50% of locations nearly $1.4 million. In the past four years, AUVs systemwide have grown nearly 40%, an impressive achievement for a 44-year-old brand.
“We are proud to see Mountain Mike’s Pizza recognized within the top 150 of the largest restaurant chains in America while also outperforming every other pizza chain in America on sales and AUV growth,” said Chris Britt, co-CEO and co-owner of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. “When Ed St. Geme and I acquired Mountain Mike’s Pizza in 2017, we had a vision to transform the then-39-year-old pizza chain into a pizza category leader and an attractive franchise opportunity for entrepreneurs and their families. In the five and a half years that we have owned the brand, we have exceeded our greatest expectations and are extremely proud of our franchise support team and incredible franchisees without whom this growth would not be possible.”
Currently on track to open 25 to 30 new restaurants in 2022, Mountain Mike’s has already opened 10 new locations this year across five states, with new markets experiencing sales far beyond initial projections. Last year, total system sales (TSS) for Mountain Mike’s reached a record-breaking $254 million, and the leading pizza chain has its sights set on challenging the $300 million mark in 2022. As Q1 ended, same-store sales and TSS were up 7% and 10%, respectively, putting the end-of-year goal very much within reach. Mountain Mike’s continues to achieve tremendous sales, extraordinary growth, and presents a smart business opportunity for savvy entrepreneurs looking to enter the franchise industry and for multi-brand franchise partners seeking to diversify their franchise portfolios with a popular family pizza concept.
“As a brand, our foremost commitment is to the success of our franchise owners and doing everything in our power to drive their sales and bottom line. But these efforts would be futile if our strategies weren’t enthusiastically embraced and effectively implemented in every restaurant by our dedicated franchisees and their teams,” said Jim Metevier, President and COO of Mountain Mike’s Pizza. “As we continue to expand throughout the western U.S., a large portion of our new restaurant growth remains driven by our existing franchise partners which is strong evidence that they made the right business decision in choosing to invest in Mountain Mike’s, and we are devoted to keeping this momentum going for years to come.”
With 255+ locations nationwide, and a goal of reaching 400+ locations before the end of 2025, the franchised pizza brand is primed to continue expansion throughout the West in existing states like California, Oregon, Arizona, Utah and Nevada and Idaho, plus new states like Colorado and Texas. There are growth opportunities available in each of these states, and beyond for new franchise partners looking to diversify their franchise portfolios with a popular family pizza concept. To learn more about new franchise opportunities in your market of interest, visit www.mountainmikespizza.com/franchising.
About Mountain Mike’s Pizza
Since 1978, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading California-based family-style pizza chain known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperonis, Mountain-sized pizzas, and dough made fresh daily has been a popular choice for families, serving “Pizza the Way it Oughta Be!®” up and down the West Coast. In addition to offering carryout, its own in-house delivery, and four third-party delivery options, Mountain Mike’s provides a family-friendly dine-in environment making it easy for guests to enjoy the brand’s signature experience wherever they are. Most of its more than 255 locations feature a kids’ activity area with arcade games, dedicated party rooms and big screen TVs throughout, making Mountain Mike’s an ideal place for sports teams, family gatherings, group fundraising events and private parties alike. With a menu of signature pizzas, chicken wings, garlic bread, salads, mozzarella sticks, and a selection of beer and wine, there’s something for everyone at Mountain Mike’s. For a complete list of locations and the full menu, visit www.mountainmikespizza.com or follow Mountain Mike’s on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Media Contact:
Kristyna Otto
Powerhouse Communications
kristyna@powerhousecomm.com