Franchise Deep Dive: Crust Pizza Co. Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

The rapidly growing franchise stands out in the pizza market through quality ingredients, a modern dining experience and strong franchisee support.

By Victoria CampisiStaff Writer

How Many Crust Pizza Co. Locations Are There?

Currently, Crust Pizza Co. has 27 stores in Texas and Louisiana, with plans to open 10 more by the end of 2024. The brand currently has a goal of 25 new openings per year and is targeting multi-unit franchisees who want to leverage its proven model and strong support system.

In particular, Crust Pizza Co. is focused on expanding within the Southeast United States, targeting states from Texas to Florida, up to the Carolinas, and across Tennessee and Arkansas. This will allow Crust Pizza Co. to effectively manage resources and provide dedicated support to its franchisees, ensuring consistent quality and service across all locations.

The brand’s growth strategy includes opening corporate stores in new regions to serve as training locations and demonstrate the brand’s potential to prospective franchisees.

What is the Crust Pizza Co. Business Model?

Crust Pizza Co. stands out in the crowded pizza market through a combination of quality ingredients, a modern dining experience and robust support for franchisees. Here are some key aspects of their business model:

Quality Ingredients: Crust Pizza Co. makes fresh dough every day, shreds its proprietary blend of mozzarella cheese in-house and always uses fresh produce. CEO Carl Comeaux highlights the exceptional quality of their cheese blend as a key ingredient.

Nostalgic Yet Modern Dining Experience: The restaurants combine a nostalgic dine-in atmosphere with modern elements. Interiors feature open ceilings, dim lighting and stylish decor with grays, whites and wood finishes, making them perfect for family outings after a ballgame or a cozy date night.

Franchisee Support: Crust Pizza Co. provides extensive support to franchisees from the very beginning. This includes help with personality tests, financial applications and understanding the franchise disclosure document (FDD). The brand also has a real estate team to assist with site selection, lease negotiation and construction, as well as an architecture team to provide detailed plans.

Comprehensive Training: Franchisees and their staff receive thorough training, which includes a six-week program for managers and a three-week onsite training for other workers. The company also conducts regular audits after opening to ensure ongoing success.

Marketing and Ongoing Support: Marketing strategists help boost grand openings, while dedicated support representatives offer continuous assistance through monthly success calls. An in-house technology team ensures that operational systems are always up-to-date.

Streamlined Operations: Crust Pizza Co. has refined its business model to be more efficient and profitable, reducing the restaurant size from 3,000 to 2,300-2,500 square feet while still accommodating 70 seats. The brand also streamlined its menu from over 60 items to around 30-35, focusing on high-quality pizzas, salads, flatbreads and appetizers. This has improved kitchen efficiency and customer satisfaction, leading to higher profitability.

How Much Can Crust Pizza Co. Franchise Owners Make?

AUV: In 2023, the Gross Profits of Franchised Units Range from $694,604 - $1,569,543

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Crust Pizza Co. Franchise?

The total investment range to open a Crust Pizza Co. is $765,500 to $1,426,250. Below is a breakdown of the associated costs.

Initial Franchise Fee: $50,000
Construction and Leasehold Improvements: $320,000 to $700,000
Lease Deposits and Rent (3 Months): $9,500 to $36,250
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment: $235,000 to $305,000
Signage: $10,000 to $30,000
Computer, Software and Point of Sales System: $15,000 to $25,000
Grand Opening Marketing: $20,000
Initial Inventory: $15,000 to $25,000
Utility Deposits: $500 to $3,000
Insurance Deposits (3 Months): $3,000 to $10,000
Travel for Initial Training: $15,000 to $30,000
Professional Fees: $20,000 to $30,000
Licenses and Permits: $3,000 to $8,000
Office Equipment and Supplies: $500 to $4,000
Additional Funds (3 Months): $50,000 to $150,000

What Is the Franchise Fee for Crust Pizza Co.?

The franchise fee is $50,000.

Who’s On Crust Pizza Co.’s Leadership Team?

Carl Comeaux – CEO
Nick Fontenot – Chief Technology Officer
Clint Price – Chief Business Officer
Mark Rasberry – Chief Financial Officer
Kim Juda- VP of Operations

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Crust Pizza Co.?

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

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