California-based Pizza Factory is seeking to grow not only into new states but also in existing areas where it has franchises, and as such, is looking for individuals in Cheney who might want to go into the pizza business for themselves. All you need, from Pizza Factory president Mary Jane Riva’s perspective, is a love of pizza and a desire to work in and serve the community.
“We do not require previous restaurant experience,” Riva said. “We don’t think people realize owning your own business can be a reality.”
Riva said Pizza Factory doesn’t offer “cookie cutter” franchises, but rather stores that are tailored to fit the operator’s respective communities and their features. In a Dec. 18 news release, the company said it has done research on Cheney and Riva believes the community would be a good fit for a franchise.
One reason is the proximity of a successful Pizza Factory store in Medical Lake. Riva said neighboring Pizza Factory franchises compliment each other rather than compete. She also believes Cheney would be a good fit because it is the type and size of city that Pizza Factory outlets typically do well in — smaller cities that still possess a shared sense of community.
Started 32 years ago, Pizza Factory now has 110 locations in six western states, and is looking at expanding into states such as Texas, Colorado, New Mexico and Montana. Riva was a franchisee for 20 years before she and her husband purchased the corporation in 2012.
Riva said they hope Cheney residents who might be tired of commuting to work in Spokane and want to be closer to home will consider a business opportunity with the corporation. There are several ways to find out about running a Pizza Factory franchise including going online to pizzafactoryfranchise.com, or by talking to the owner of a current location.
Riva said because Pizza Factory locations are tailored to their specific communities, the corporation doesn’t get involved in financing. Rather, it assists prospective owners with training on the product and operations of a business, finding a location — generally an existing space —negotiating a lease and then modifying the space for use as a restaurant.
After the store opens, Pizza Factory assists with other aspects of the business such as marketing, with Riva and her husband flying in to help owners get started.
“We stay with them the whole time,” she said.
Pizza Factory — whose slogan is “We Toss ‘Em, They’re Awesome” — has also been involved in the “No Bully Zone” program to raise awareness about the prevalence of bullying in schools and throughout communities. The Medical Lake franchise was behind the installing of a “buddy bench” at Hallett Elementary School in October that will serve as a safe place for students to go to escape bullying through peer intervention.
With the pizza industry at $40 million in annual revenues and growing, Riva hopes someone in the Cheney area will take the step to contact them about opening a franchise. Before that, she advises anyone considering such a move to do their research and “don’t look at the fluff” of business ownership. She stresses the importance of talking to someone who owns a Pizza Factory outlet.
“Do a deep dive and see what’s under the hood,” Riva said.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
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