Major pizza chains like Papa John’s and Pizza Hut have had a rough year, but Pizza Inn is closing out 2025 with a bang.
For the first time in 18 years, the brand has opened three new restaurants in three weeks, reinforcing its presence in today’s competitive pizza landscape, according to a press release.
Seasoned franchisee Dion Firooznia, who opened his fifth store on December 2 in Abingdon, Virginia, shared how the community response has already exceeded his expectations. He noted the enthusiasm for the brand’s return to the area, which has led to strong sales since opening.
In Rochester, David and Phoebe Omete (pictured above) brought the first Pizza Inn to Indiana. Their soft opening on December 8 has been encouraging, the company said, by how warmly the community has embraced the new location and has built excitement for the grand opening. They look forward to growing the brand’s presence in the state.
And one more location opened on December 15 in Hickory, North Carolina. It will be franchisee Peter Solanki’s third store.
“These openings mark a powerful step forward for Pizza Inn,” said Brandon Solano, CEO of Pizza Inn. “This surge reflects franchisee confidence, strong market momentum and a clear signal that guests are hungry for what Pizza Inn brings to the table. We’re not just growing—we’re answering a real need in the marketplace.”
With continued strong unit metrics coupled with improved sales trends and a growing roster of operators, Pizza Inn enters 2026 positioned for further expansion, the company said.
“We are seeing strong interest from prospects who want to be part of Pizza Inn’s next chapter, and these openings highlight what the brand can achieve,” said Chris Cochran, RAVE’s senior director of franchise sales and development. “We have more exciting openings and developments on the way, and we welcome conversations with operators interested in learning how they can be part of the Pizza Inn family.”
