Building on their success with Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint, Charlotte, N.C. franchise partners, Jerry Licari and Tim Verhagen, are expanding market penetration with the fastest-growing fast casual premium pizza chain. Increasing their franchise development agreement, Licari and Verhagen are securing the rights to franchise eight Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint locations throughout Charlotte, including neighborhoods such as South Charlotte, Plaza Midwood, Myers Park, South Park and surrounding suburbs such as Ballantyne, Mooresville, and Davidson, N.C.
The second Charlotte-area Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint location will open in Mid-June in Huntersville, N.C.in the NorthCross Shopping Center Exit 25 Off I-77 next to Panera Bread To celebrate the newest Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint opening, Uncle Maddio’s will serve free 9-inch, any three topping, fully-customizable pizzas to all customers in line from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on opening day.
A third location is slated to open in late 2014 or early 2015. Franchisees since 2010, Licari and Verhagen were one of the first Uncle Maddio's franchisees and own and operate Charlotte's first Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint location in Uptown Charlotte, which is operating the concept's breakfast-pizza pilot.
"Working with the Uncle Maddio's team for the past four years has been a remarkable business achievement for Tim and me," said Jerry Licari, Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint Charlotte franchisee. "The secret is out. Uncle Maddio's provides a sound-business investment and remarkable team support. As the chain continues to grow, we want our business to also expand as Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint franchisees throughout the Charlotte metro region."
Along with Uncle Maddio's, Licari and Verhagen, operate the first system-wide location testing a new breakfast menu for Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint featuring breakfast pizzas, paninis and breakfast calzones – aptly named Break-zones. The Uncle Maddio's breakfast menu was introduced in late 2013 at the 101 South Tryon Street location in Charlotte's Overstreet Mall and has received rave reviews.
"Our Uptown Charlotte customers love the Uncle Maddio's breakfast menu," said Licari. "One of the best parts of working with Matt and the Uncle Maddio's team is their openness, support and willingness to listen to our creative and entrepreneurial ideas. We suggested breakfast pizzas. Now it is a reality, and we are piloting the concept for the system."
Operating 19 locations in seven states, Uncle Maddio's is a fast casual pizza restaurant pioneering the build-your-own pizza, panini and salad concept.
Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint customers customize their own pizzas, salads and paninis. The chain offers individual pizzas in four size options, using fresh dough that is made from scratch daily, with wholesome ingredients. Guests choose one of three crusts, and select from 48 topping choices, including 27 vegetables, 15 meats, and six sauces made onsite. Uncle Maddio's offers healthful options like whole wheat and gluten-free crusts, hormone-free chicken, fresh local vegetables, Daiya vegan cheese and organic greens. Chef's Signature pizzas, salads, and paninis, as well as "take and bake" pizza options provide additional menu selections. Every meal at every location is 'Served With Love,' and the chain now offers a 100 percent guarantee to all patrons.
"Our franchisees are truly our partners in business and in success," said Uncle Maddio's Chef Pizza Maker Matt Andrew. "We look forward to opening more Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint locations throughout the Charlotte metro region with Jerry and Tim. We know they continue to focus on customer service and employee engagement, serving patrons with millions of choices from healthy to indulgent."
Uncle Maddio's launched the fast casual pizza market five years ago with the opening of its first store in Atlanta, Georgia. With 19 restaurant franchises open and 175 more in development throughout the Southeast, East Coast and Midwest. For more information on Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint, visit www.unclemaddios.com. Interested franchisees can visit www.unclemaddios.com/
About Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint
Celebrating its 5th year, Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint is the original create-your-own premium fast casual pizza restaurant. Operating 19 restaurants in seven states, Uncle Maddio’s is the fastest growing fast casual pizza brand in the US, with an additional 35 franchise restaurants in development for 2014, and 175 units committed through its franchisee network. Uncle Maddio’s pizzas are completely customizable, made-to-order, and served up for under $7. Uncle Maddio’s offers four pizza sizes, three types of crusts, including gluten-free, six sauces, and 48 fresh toppings, many vegan, organic, and hormone-free. The freshest and largest menu in the category, Uncle Maddio’s also serves toasted paninis and gourmet salads — all prepared with locally sourced ingredients and salad dressings that are made daily. Based in Atlanta, Uncle Maddio’s management team has 50 years combined experienced in the fast casual category. Uncle Maddio’s has targeted Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Colorado, Tennessee, and Virginia.
