Franchise Agreements Covering Two Additional Markets Signed
SEATTLE, Wash. (December 11, 2014) – MOD Pizza today announced that they have executed franchise agreements with two new partners to develop 35 restaurants in Michigan and South Carolina. MOD has partnered with TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants in Michigan and Rich Connolly in South Carolina. With this announcement, MOD has agreed to develop nearly 100 stores with some of the most established franchise operators in the U.S.
By the end of 2015, MOD expects to be operating approximately 100 stores across Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
“For MOD, the most critical factor is ensuring that our partners share our belief in the value of a strong and vibrant culture in our stores. We continue to have a simple goal in our franchise partnering strategy – to build deeper relationships with fewer partners,” said Scott Svenson, co-founder and CEO of MOD Pizza. “We are humbled that TEAM Schostak and Rich Connolly have joined the MOD family and share our desire to build something new and very special. We know they have the experience to help us spread the MOD culture in their markets and to build a stronger business.”
Mark Schostak / TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants – Michigan
Livonia, Michigan-based TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants is a family-owned restaurant group with an expansive portfolio of casual and fast-casual dining restaurants throughout the state of Michigan. With a commitment to quality operations, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants is an industry leader in attracting, developing and retaining the most talented work force that proudly delights its guests and sets an unmatched standard of excellence. For the past three decades, TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants has expanded its restaurant catalog to include 130 restaurants across 4 brands including Applebee’s, Burger King, Olga’s Kitchen and Del Taco.
Rich Connolly – South Carolina and Parts of Georgia
Rich has spent over 30 years in the restaurant industry. Starting with Burger King in 1979, Connolly grew the business to nearly 500 employees and 11 stores. After selling his Burger King restaurants, he became involved in real estate development before eventually entering the Panera system. He currently operates 16 Panera stores in South Carolina. He will open his first MOD location in Charleston in 2015.
About MOD Pizza
Seattle based MOD Pizza was founded in 2008 by Scott and Ally Svenson, and was inspired by the couple’s love of Italian street-style pizza, their desire for authentic, affordable and fast dining options for their busy family and the idea that a great company could be built around people. Above all, MOD is about putting people first – both our MOD Squad and our customers – and is striving to redefine the fast food experience.
The Svensons bring their experience from building two highly successful concepts in the UK – Seattle Coffee Company (acquired by Starbucks) and Carluccio’s. MOD’s team of advisors and executives bring additional experience from iconic brands such as Starbucks, Apple, Panera Bread, Disney, T-Mobile, Dunkin Donuts, Qdoba, McDonald’s and Schwartz Brothers Restaurants.
MOD is committed to creating not just a cool place to eat, but an inspired place to work. The company has been recognized as one of the “Top 50 Breakout Brands” by Nation’s Restaurant News, named one of the “Fastest Growing Private Companies in America” by Inc. Magazine, ranked as a “Fastest Growing Private Company” (2013 and 2014) by the Puget Sound Business Journal and named one of “Washington’s Best Work Places” by the Puget Sound Business Journal (2013 and 2014). www.modpizza.com