Boston’s Pizza has developed a successful formula to assist first-time franchisees with little to no restaurant experience. As 2024 enters its final quarter, this year’s results show that a solid support system and a flexible real estate model are key to the franchise’s success. The company has lowered barriers for potential partners and recently introduced a three-year royalty program for qualified new franchisees.
“In an ultra-competitive industry, we excel at helping first-time franchisees find their footing and achieve early success,” said Jeff Melnick, President of Boston’s Pizza. “We begin partnerships before locations are selected or financing is complete. We support our franchisees every step of the way to help them make decisions that will keep their momentum alive long after they open.”
This year, 40% of new openings have operating partners without prior ownership experience. Additionally, over 20% of Boston’s franchisees did not have experience in casual dining. Despite this, the franchise has achieved an average unit volume of $2.9 million at its top 75% of traditional locations and $1.9 million in non-traditional locations.
Growing Development Pipeline
The success of Boston’s Pizza has attracted many investors. As of the end of the third quarter, the franchise has more than 20 restaurants in development, the largest pipeline since Melnick took over in 2018. Many of these new locations are planned for California, Texas, and the Midwest, which together account for 52% of Boston’s total restaurant count.
Sunny Mann, managing partner of the Beaumont, California location, shared, “We were successful early on because of the plan created by Boston’s skilled professionals. Our weekly meetings and periodic visits kept things moving forward. Boston’s fosters a culture of ongoing support, and it’s reassuring to know our representative is just a call away.”
Comprehensive Franchise Support
Boston’s Pizza has designed its franchise support model to assist franchisees of all experience levels. Once a franchisee invests in the brand, they receive support in three key areas:
Real Estate: Franchisees can select their own locations or utilize Boston’s vetting process. This process is aided by A.I. software that analyzes demographics and competitor data to find optimal sites and predict trends, reducing risks for franchisees. This method has proven successful in challenging markets like Southern California.
Operations: For those without restaurant experience, Boston’s operations team provides guidance on hiring a general manager or collaborating with third-party management companies. The franchise also offers extensive training and support for owner-operators and has introduced a competitive three-year royalty program for qualified partners to help them achieve cash flow positivity.
Design and Construction Support: Boston’s emphasizes early action. Once a site is selected, the in-house designer works with franchisees to customize and fit the Boston’s brand into nearly any restaurant space. This support helps franchisees realize their visions with minimal hassle.
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