(Press Release) BILLINGS, MT, May 23, 2012- Pizza Ranch, the popular Midwest family-style buffet concept featuring a family-friendly atmosphere, has signed a franchise agreement with Mike and Angie Christianson to open a new location at 2505 King Avenue West in Billings. The new restaurant is slated to open in August 2012 and is the first of eight restaurants the Christiansons plan to open throughout Montana.

“We are thrilled to be opening a new Pizza Ranch restaurant and invite the local community to share in our excitement. We look forward to serving each of our guests fresh, great tasting food with unrivaled guest service,” said Mike. “Everyone will enjoy our one-of-a-kind dining environment, not to mention limitless menu offerings that provide something for everyone. We pride ourselves on offering fans more craveable reasons to keep them coming back for more.”

Mike most recently worked as a district manager for Radio Shack and often took lunch breaks at the local Pizza Ranch. After noticing the popularity and growth potential of the restaurant concept in North Dakota, the Christiansons decided to open a Pizza Ranch of their own. They now own multiple locations in North Dakota and look forward to bringing the concept to Montana.

The new restaurant offers a comfortable dining atmosphere that mimics the Old West. A spacious community room is available for special group and community gatherings, serving as a social hub for friends, families, teams, church groups and more. In addition to its popular dine-in buffet, Pizza Ranch will offer carry-out and delivery services for any of its distinct menu items. 

“Our goal is for Pizza Ranch to become an integral part of the Billings community, and the community room is a great place for groups to get together,” Mike added. “We look forward to partnering with our neighborhood schools, church groups and other local organizations and helping them raise money during special events.” 

Menu items remain focused on traditional Pizza Ranch favorites, with recipes dating back to the company’s origins, in addition to new innovative feature pizzas and salads such as the Santa Fe Salad and Brushfire Pizza. Pizza Ranch is also known for its legendary chicken, recognized by most as simply the “Country’s Best Chicken.”

Pizza Ranch has more than 160 locations in nine states in the Midwest and is currently executing an aggressive growth plan to more than double its presence in key U.S. markets.