1851

Before Dave Wood founded <a href="http://myfirenza.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=fast-casual-concept-firenza-pizza-takes-aim-at-growing-sector-2704274" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Firenza Pizza</a> in 2015 with business partner, Dave Baer, he was a Domino&rsquo;s Pizza franchisee for more than 30 years owning 17 locations around Northern Virginia. Throughout these years, he appreciated the day-to-day of running a Domino&rsquo;s: learning the ropes of running a pizza business, continuously improving customer service and building a network of owners throughout his community.

As Wood mastered the fundamentals of how to run a multi-unit business, he started exploring the industry as a whole and started seeking out emerging trends on the horizon. He&rsquo;d always been a purveyor of pizza, keeping up on what was new in the sector and shifts in consumer preference; he quickly uncovered the movement towards a fresh-fired pizza that&rsquo;s ready in mere minutes and realized an open market for a similar concept, but one that held quality above all.

&ldquo;I felt like the one thing missing was really great pizza. Too many people in the fast-casual space were using tortilla presses to press out their dough not knowing that this process presses out all of the air pockets and doesn&rsquo;t allow for the dough to fully rise,&rdquo; says Wood.

Wood sold his Domino&rsquo;s locations and took a break from the business of pizza, assessing his career path and what he wanted to invest in next. In 2015, in Fairfax, Virginia, Baer and Wood returned to the industry and started the fast-casual concept, Firenza Pizza.

&ldquo;At Firenza, we went back to the basics and focused on developing a high-quality pizza that started with hand-tossed dough, fresh San Marzano tomatoes and artisan cheese with no additives or fillers,&rdquo; says Wood.

Patrons can choose from almost 40 freshly prepared toppings like Chipotle sausage, Buffalo Chicken, portobello mushrooms and even Pico de Gallo. From there, the pizza is popped into a stone hearth and flame fired until crisped to perfection in just minutes. In addition to custom-built pizzas, the brand offers wings, meatballs, signature salads and eight handcrafted pies like the Big Kahuna featuring red sauce, mozzarella, provolone, ham, bacon, pineapple, red onion and jalapenos.

The built-to-order concept is quickly gaining ground as it recently celebrated the opening of its first Los Angeles restaurant and now has locations throughout the U.S. in Atlanta, Charlotte, Kansas City and Louisville among several other hubs. Firenza has 15 locations and has plans to open five to seven additional locations just this year. As the brand continues to expand, single and multi-unit franchise opportunities are currently available throughout the country.

&ldquo;When we&rsquo;re looking for partners, it&rsquo;s good to have experience owning a business or in the corporate world,&rdquo; says Wood. &ldquo;Our ultimate goal is to find people who are passionate about the concept and the commitment to quality and tradition that it embodies.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Fast-Casual Concept Firenza Pizza Takes Aim at Growing Sector

1851 Franchise

How two veteran Domino’s franchisees flipped the switch and took a chance on fresh-fired pizza.

fast-casual-concept-firenza-pizza-takes-aim-at-growing-sector

Comfort Keepers

From Coast to Heartland: Why One Comfort Keepers® Franchisee Keeps Expanding

from-coast-to-heartland-why-one-comfort-keepers-franchisee-keeps-expanding

Filta Environmental Kitchen Solutions

Filta Franchise - David Hoover Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Stadiums to Sustainability: How David Hoover Is Scaling Impact With Filta

filta-franchise-david-hoover-scaling-impact

TruBlue Home Service Ally

Be a Community Hero: How TruBlue Franchisees Are Changing Lives Beyond Business

be-a-community-hero-how-trublue-franchisees-are-changing-lives-beyond-business

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions Wraps Up Record-Breaking Q3 With National TV Launches, Platform Growth and Key Leadership Promotion

caring-transitions-wraps-up-record-breaking-q3-with-national-tv-launches-platform-growth-and-key-leadership-promotion

SweatHouz

SweatHouz SWTHZ Franchise - Hunter and Mallory Mitchem - Franchisee Feature - 1851 Franchise

From Aerospace to Wellness: Hunter Mitchem’s Journey to a SweatHouz Empire

sweathouz-franchise-hunter-mitchem-6g

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

How a Steady Economy Could Help Franchisors Plan Their Next Move

how-a-steady-economy-could-help-franchisors-plan-their-next-move

Bed Bath & Beyond - Franchise Expansion - Retail Strategy - 1851 Franchise

Bed Bath & Beyond Launches Franchise Model as Part of Comeback Strategy

bed-bath-beyond-franchise-expansion-retail-strategy

Senior Entrepreneurship - Franchising - 1851 Franchise

Senior Entrepreneurship Is Rising — And Franchising Is a Key Outlet

senior-entrepreneurship-franchising-silver-startups

U.S. Government Shutdown - Impact on Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Government Shutdown Stalls SBA Loans: How the Shutdown Could Impact Franchises

government-shutdown-impacts-sba-loans-tourism-franchises

Subway Franchisees Resist Expensive Remodel Directives

subway-franchisees-resist-expensive-remodel-directives

Power Eats: Smoothie King Rolls Out Food Nationwide To Fuel Franchise Growth

smoothie-king-food-menu-power-eats

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

Friendly’s Parent Company Acquired by Multi-Unit Franchisee as More Owners Take the Lead in Brand Acquisitions 

friendlys-parent-company-acquired-by-multi-unit-franchisee-as-more-owners-take-the-lead-in-brand-acquisitions

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Early Childhood Education and Child Care Franchises for 2025

early-childhood-education-child-care-franchises

Top Education Franchises To Consider for 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Top Education Franchises To Consider Investing In for 2025

top-education-franchises-investment-opportunities

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Fast-Casual Concept Firenza Pizza Takes Aim at Growing Sector

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS