As Mr Gatti’s Pizza celebrates its 55th anniversary, the Fort Worth, Texas brand is positioned for significant growth in 2024.

Mr Gatti’s concluded 2023 by reaching new milestones, awarding 18 franchise agreements and expanding its presence with more than 140 locations either open or under development, the company said recently.

Mr Gatti’s also saw a 6% increase in same-store sales and an 8% rise in systemwide sales last year, putting the brand at the top of its game.

“We’ve not only expanded our footprint but fortified our brand presence in the competitive restaurant industry,” Jim Phillips, CEO at Mr Gatti’s Pizza, said. “We’re certainly on track to continue at this pace and have our sights set on opening at least 60 more new locations between now and the end of 2026.”

Mr Gatti’s growth in 2023 included expansion into key markets across the country, such as Opelika and Dadeville, Alabama, Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Waco, Texas, and Louisville, Kentucky. Simultaneously, the existing network showed strength as 14 franchise owners celebrated more than 30 years with the brand, and the company achieved a 100% franchise renewal rate.

The company’s success did not go unnoticed, earning Mr Gatti’s inclusion in top industry rankings like Nation’s Restaurant News‘ 100 under 100 list, Franchise Times’ Top 400, Pizza Marketplace’s Top 100 and Global Franchise’s Power List.

Following the highs of 2023, Mr Gatti’s welcomed the new year with an announcement of a new convenience store franchise model suited for spaces ranging from 800 to 1,500 square feet, making it ideal for convenience stores and travel centers and paving the way for new growth opportunities.

Mr Gatti’s first opened its doors as The Pizza Place in Stephenville, Texas, in 1964. A move to Austin in 1969 also brought a name change, which paid tribute to the maiden name of founder James Eure’s wife: Gatti. By the 1970s, the chain was experiencing dramatic growth, combining pizza dining and gaming in a single location.

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