Fast-casual pizza chain PizzaRev has signed franchise agreements for more than 20 new outlets in five states. The agreements will expand the Studio City chain’s presence in Southern California and expand its foot print to Utah, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. It currently operates outlets in Northridge, Studio City, Woodland Hills, El Segundo, Burbank and Oxnard. Away We Dough LLC, a unit of William Tell Inc. of Salt Lake City, will develop three outlets in Utah. The company is experienced in the fast-casual segment. It is the franchisee of 18 Applebee’s, a restaurant chain owned by DineEquity Inc. in Glendale. TNT Pizza Inc. will develop three restaurants in North Dakota and Nebraska. That firm also operates nine Applebee’s, among other restaurants. RFP Group Inc. will develop five restaurants in San Diego County, where the firm operates three Jersey Mike’s sub restaurants. And in Orange County, Crafty Pizza Inc. will open 12 restaurants. The franchise agreements were reached less than a year after PizzaRev received an equity investment from Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., the Minneapolis owner of the popular sports bar chain. Buffalo Wild Wings was announced as the first franchisee in August. “These four exceptional franchise groups, along with our partner and first franchisee Buffalo Wild Wings, will each add tremendously to the PizzaRev story,” said Rodney Eckerman, the company’s co-chief executive. PizzaRev is distinguished by a food-assembly operation similar to a Chipotle Mexican Grill and employs high-temperature fast-cook ovens. Each 11-inch pizza sells for a flat rate of $7.95. Among its competitors are Pizza Studio of Calabasas, Blaze Pizza LLC of Pasadena, and 800 Degrees, a unit of Umami Restaurant Group of Los Angeles.
