Franchisor Stories
Crust Pizza Co. Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2026
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Crust Pizza Co. offers a fast-casual franchise opportunity built on scratch-made recipes and a strong focus on community and quality.
Crust Pizza Co. is a fast-growing pizza franchise known for its commitment to high-quality ingredients and exceptional customer service. The franchise started with one location in The Woodlands, Texas, and has since become a beloved local favorite.
1. What Is the Brand Overview for Crust Pizza Co.?
About the Brand
Crust Pizza Co. was started by longtime friends Clint Price and Mark Rasberry, who turned their passion for pizza and business into a brand focused on quality and community. They wanted to build something they believed in, alongside people they trusted — and that mindset still guides the company as it grows.
Mission: To serve great pizza with a focus on quality, integrity and community, while helping franchise partners build strong, rewarding businesses.
Vision: To scale a respected, high-performing pizza concept with a close network of entrepreneurial partners — never sacrificing quality for quantity.
Unique Selling Points (USPs)
Crust Pizza Co. stands out in the busy pizza market by serving made-from-scratch recipes in a fast-casual setting that focuses on quality and consistency. The brand chooses high-traffic, top-tier locations to help franchisees attract more customers and build a strong presence in their communities. With a strong focus on delivering an exceptional guest experience and building ties within local communities, Crust is committed to culture and values-driven service. Its concept has also proven to be both recession- and pandemic-resilient, making it a stable and attractive option for consumers.
2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details?
Why Franchise With Crust Pizza Co.?
Franchisees benefit from a business model created by founders who are still actively involved in daily operations. Crust provides extensive training before and after launch to ensure each location opens with a strong foundation. Franchise partners are given protected territories and access to highly vetted real estate opportunities.
Crust also offers proprietary technology and hands-on guidance to help franchisees succeed. With a brand rooted in culture and community, franchisees can expect strong unit economics and long-term growth potential.
Available Territories
Crust is focused on growth throughout the Southeast and Southwest U.S., but may consider other regions for experienced area developers. Explore available territories on the brand’s website. 
Investment Overview
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Crust Pizza Co. franchise ranges from $766,500 to $1,426,250. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Construction & Leasehold Improvements | $320,000 | $700,000 |
| Lease Deposits & Rent (3 Months) | $9,500 | $36,250 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $235,000 | $305,000 |
| Signage | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Computer, Software & POS | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $20,000 | $20,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| Utility Deposits | $500 | $3,000 |
| Insurance Deposits (3 Months) | $3,000 | $10,000 |
| Travel for Initial Training | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Professional Fees | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Licenses & Permits | $3,000 | $8,000 |
| Office Equipment & Supplies | $500 | $4,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $50,000 | $150,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee for a single franchise under a franchise agreement is $50,000. All fees are non-refundable. The franchise does not finance any portion of the initial fees.
Qualified honorably discharged veterans will receive a 10% discount on the franchise fee.
The franchise fee is waived for eligible individuals who have served as a Crust general manager for at least three years and meet performance requirements.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Crust Pizza Co. franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | 6% of gross sales/week |
| Brand Development Fund | Up to 2% of gross sales/week |
| Franchisee Directed Local Marketing | 2% of gross sales as incurred |
| Technology | Up to $1,500/month |
ROI Potential: The 2025 FDD breaks sales information down for each location, including the 18 franchise locations that were operational for the entirety of the 2024 calendar year, which reported the following gross sales and gross profit less expenses:
Outlet | Location | Gross Sales | Gross Profit Less Expenses |
1 | The Woodlands, Texas (Alden Bridge) | $2,249,146 | $1,459,996 |
2 | Montgomery, Texas (Woodforest) | $2,054,309 | $1,218,433 |
3 | Katy, Texas (Cinco Ranch) | $1,144,852 | $735,537 |
4 | Houston, Texas (Louetta) | $1,381,039 | $880,636 |
5 | Conroe, Texas (Harpers Preserve) | $1,226,776 | $890,553 |
6 | Spring, Texas (Gosling Pines) | $1,023,791 | $661,274 |
7 | Tomball, Texas | $2,012,121 | $1,259,451 |
8 | Houston, Texas (Heights) | $1,731,737 | $1,086,313 |
9 | Moss Bluff, Louisiana | $1,368,316 | $855,254 |
10 | Cypress, Texas | $1,452,672 | $883,976 |
11 | Kingwood, Texas (Northplace) | $928,496 | $563,527 |
12 | Conroe, Texas | $1,139,910 | $751,837 |
13 | Sulphur, Louisiana | $998,695 | $629,790 |
14 | Cypress, Texas | $1,332,584 | $835,168 |
15 | League City, Texas | $1,355,016 | $826,560 |
16 | Kingwood, Texas | $1,430,981 | $899,639 |
17 | Willis, Texas | $1,070,443 | $667,903 |
18 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | $1,219,470 | $793,506 |
| Averages for the 2024 Calendar Year | $1,395,575 | $883,297 | |
3. What Franchisee Support Does Crust Pizza Co. Provide?
Training Programs
Crust provides a 3-week initial training program for the franchisee and assistant manager, followed by 3 weeks of on-site training for staff. A detailed 400-page training manual and structured hiring process are included, with ongoing audits at 30, 60 and 90 days post-opening.
Operational Support
Franchisees receive real estate support, architectural and construction guidance, and marketing strategies for pre-launch and grand opening efforts. Monthly success calls help track performance and goal setting during the first 12 months.
Technology and Tools
Crust uses Toast POS, Toast Payroll, Jolt and proprietary Crust software, all managed by an in-house tech team that ensures system reliability and performance.
4. What Are the Franchise Requirements for Crust Pizza Co.?
Eligibility Criteria
Crust is looking for hands-on owner-operators or experienced multi-unit franchisees who have a solid background in franchising.
Operational Commitments
Franchisees are expected to be actively involved in the business or hire a qualified manager to run daily operations. Semi-absentee ownership might be an option for candidates who already have the right systems and team in place.
Funding Assistance
While Crust does not offer direct financing, it has a network of trusted lending partners familiar with the brand to help guide financing solutions.
5. Are There Franchisee Success Stories?
Fernanda Collins and her husband became Crust Pizza Co. franchisees after relocating from Texas to Louisiana and realizing they couldn’t find a pizza place they loved as much as Crust. What started as a lighthearted idea turned into a full-time commitment, and today they are business owners who have fully embraced the brand. Read Fernanda’s story here.
Armando Cordova and Jorge Molina teamed up to open three Crust Pizza Co. locations in Central Texas, combining Armando’s restaurant background with Jorge’s investment support. They were drawn to Crust for its family-friendly vibe and strong brand support, and now they’re focused on growing a business where both their teams and their communities can thrive. Read their story here.
6. What Is the Market Potential for Pizza?
The global pizza market was valued at $282.91 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9% between 2026 and 2034 to reach $340.91 billion.
In 2025, North America represented nearly 40% of the global market share.
Competitor Analysis
Crust competes with other fast-casual pizza brands such as MOD Pizza, Blaze Pizza and Pie Five. What sets Crust apart is its emphasis on partner selection, hands-on support and a culture-driven business model that avoids mass replication.
7. What Is the Application Process for Crust Pizza Co. Franchisees?
- Initial Contact: Submit an inquiry form via the Crust website.
- Zoom Call: A virtual meeting is scheduled to assess fit.
- Financial Application: Candidates complete a financial and personality profile.
- Partner Approval: Crust’s leadership team reviews and approves qualified applicants.
- FDD and Pre-Approval: The Franchise Disclosure Document is issued, and financial pre-approval is secured.
- Discovery Day: Prospective franchisees visit to learn about operations.
- Franchise Signing: Official agreement is signed to begin the development process.
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