1851

<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-jane-riva-cfe-a92a2692?trk=people-guest_people_search-card&utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-pizza-factory-franchisee-went-from-owning-5-locations-to-becoming-the-brands-ceo-2721890" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mary Jane Riva</a> has always been an entrepreneur at heart. So it’s no surprise that she worked her way to CEO of the fast-growing pizza franchise Pizza Factory. But how did Riva turn an entrepreneurial spirit and a part-time job in a pastry shop into her full-time career?Thirty years before buying Pizza Factory, Riva’s career started in a small donut restaurant in high school. After graduating, Riva got married and began her job search in a familiar field: donut shops again. According to an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.speedlinesolutions.com/blog/women-in-pizza-mary-jane-riva?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-pizza-factory-franchisee-went-from-owning-5-locations-to-becoming-the-brands-ceo-2721890" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">article by On Point</a>, she was only working at the latter donut shop for one month before the owner offered to sell the store to her. At the age of 20, Riva owned her first business.&nbsp;Working at this donut shop wasn’t easy for the young newlywed. Riva arrived at 11:00 p.m. to prepare and bake donuts for the next day. While the world was waking up, Riva would travel home to sleep throughout the day so she could prepare for a long night’s work ahead. But all of her efforts paid off. In three years, she tripled her investment and was ready to move on.&nbsp;After selling her donut shop, Riva was ready for her next big challenge. That’s when her sister introduced her to Pizza Factory. In 1988, Riva and her husband signed up for their first franchise location with the brand. They were operating in Murrieta by 1990, though opening the store wasn’t as easy as the couple thought it would be.“When you become a franchisee, you come into it with misconceptions,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.speedlinesolutions.com/blog/women-in-pizza-mary-jane-riva?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-pizza-factory-franchisee-went-from-owning-5-locations-to-becoming-the-brands-ceo-2721890" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">said Riva</a> in the On Point article. “We all think we’re going to have the store that will be successful from day one, or we wouldn't do it. We’re all a little naive about what goes into it 24/7. Even when you go home for the night, your phone is still on because there are employees still at the store. You’re just always on.”After only two years with the brand, Riva and the rest of the country faced a recession. Riva and her husband began questioning their decision to buy a franchise in the first place. But the pair supported each other, making hard decisions such as selling their house to downsize. The couple used the money from downsizing homes to buy other locations. That led Riva to co-own five Pizza Factory locations by 2012.“Everyone goes through challenges like we did,” said Riva to On Point. “It’s very rare to have a smooth ‘sunshine and roses’ experience [when owning your own business].”&nbsp;After over two decades of franchise ownership with Pizza Factory, Riva was asked by the owners at the time to purchase the brand. The brand had around 110 locations, according to Riva in an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisetimes.com/franchise_insights/pizza-factory-ceo-shares-how-she-puts-ego-aside/article_5a6b55e6-9354-11ec-8559-23b7de1e5979.html?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-pizza-factory-franchisee-went-from-owning-5-locations-to-becoming-the-brands-ceo-2721890" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Times</a>. Excited for a new challenge within the industry she loved, she took the opportunity to purchase Pizza Factory.She and her husband sold their individual franchise locations to the managers operating them, and Riva began brainstorming ways to expand her new company. First, Riva created a plan for a marketing portal, online ordering and unified POS system. Then, she hired an advertising agency and public relations company to make Pizza Factory competitive within the industry.“Coming into this, I just had to earn their trust,” said Riva in Franchise Times. “I can’t demand it or expect it. That was my big thing. Show the vision I had for the company moving forward to communicate that and show them why we were doing what we were doing and earn their trust,”&nbsp;Since buying the brand in 2012, Pizza Factory has grown under Riva’s leadership. Riva confirms that Pizza Factory signed 24 new franchise agreements in 2021. Her passion and leadership skills can be attributed to over three decades of experience in the restaurant industry. Riva continues to see a bright future with the brand and looks forward to every challenge her role as CEO of Pizza Factory brings her way. She encourages other leaders and entrepreneurs to follow their instincts and to be bold in voicing their opinions.“In the end, being bold and voicing your opinion on important matters can be an effective way to strengthen your brand and open the door for a deeper, emotional connection with your customers,” said Riva in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.franchisewire.com/be-bold-why-taking-stand-can-strengthen-your-brand/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-a-pizza-factory-franchisee-went-from-owning-5-locations-to-becoming-the-brands-ceo-2721890" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Wire</a>. “As leaders, we have an undeniable, powerful opportunity to make a difference through our words and actions—so make sure you’re standing for something.”

How a Pizza Factory Franchisee Went From Owning 5 Locations to Becoming the Brand’s CEO

Mary Jane Riva | Pizza Factory CEO Journey | 1851 Franchise

1851 Franchise

As the CEO of Pizza Factory, Mary Jane Riva applies her 30-plus years of experience to grow the company while inspiring her executive team and the franchisees.


how-a-pizza-factory-franchisee-went-from-owning-5-locations-to-becoming-the-brands-ceo

Crust Pizza Co.

Crust Pizza Co. - Technology Piece - CTO Nick Fontenot - May 2025 - 1851 Franchise

Crust Pizza Co. Builds the Future of Franchising With Tech-First Strategy

crust-pizza-co-technology-nick-fontenot-cto

Paris Baguette

Paris Baguette’s Recipe for Expansion: Leadership, Community and A Vision for 1,000 Cafés by 2030

paris-baguettes-recipe-for-expansion-leadership-community-and-a-vision-for-1000-cafes-by-2030

Seniors Helping Seniors®

Franchisee Spotlight with Billy and Anita Clark and Seniors Helping Seniors

Heart and Purpose: Couple Launch Seniors Helping Seniors® Franchise in Northern Arizona

heart-and-purpose-couple-launch-seniors-helping-seniors-franchise-in-northern-arizona

Fitness Premier

Fitness Premier Welcomes Franchisee Back to the Industry With New Pontiac, Illinois Location

fitness-premier-welcomes-franchisee-back-to-the-industry-with-new-pontiac-illinois-location

TruBlue Home Service Ally

TruBlue Home Service Ally Ranked No. 70 on Entrepreneur’s Top Low-Cost Franchises for 2025 List

trublue-home-service-ally-ranked-no-70-on-entrepreneurs-top-low-cost-franchises-for-2025-list

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 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

Crumbl Franchise Investment - TSG Consumer Partners -  1851 Franchise

TSG Consumer Partners Takes Minority Stake in Crumbl, Signaling Franchise Growth Potential

crumbl-franchise-investment-tsg-consumer

Yum Brands Reports Strong Q1 Results with Big Boost from Taco Bell

yum-brands-reports-strong-q1-results-with-big-boost-from-taco-bell

QSR: McDonald’s Gains Momentum With Chicken Innovation, Value Deals and Franchisee Support

mcdonalds-franchise-recovery-chicken-strategy-value-deals-2025

The Future of Franchising: Trends and Predictions for 2025 and Beyond

the-future-of-franchising-trends-and-predictions-for-2025-and-beyond

Restaurant Business: Crumbl Cools Its Expansion, Refocuses on Profitability

restaurant-business-crumbl-cools-its-expansion-refocuses-on-profitability

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: Building Your Brand’s Growth Machine

ultimate-guide-to-selling-franchises

Franchise Financial Reporting, Analytics and Business Intelligence | Qvinci

Franchise Financial Reporting, Analytics and Business Intelligence | Qvinci — Emerging Leaders in Franchise Support

franchise-financial-reporting-analytics-and-business-intelligence-qvinci-emerging-leaders-in-franchise-support

Franchise Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs: Lessons for Long-Term Success 

franchise-mistakes-to-avoid-at-all-costs-lessons-for-long-term-success

The Secrets to Franchise Marketing Success: How Top Brands Drive Growth

the-secrets-to-franchise-marketing-success-how-top-brands-drive-growth

Franchisee spotlight image with Randy and Sandy Craft, Children's Lighthouse logo on blue background

The Crafts’ Successful Journey from New Parents to Children’s Lighthouse Franchisees

the-crafts-successful-journey-from-new-parents-to-childrens-lighthouse-franchisees

Layoffs Surge to Pandemic-Era Highs, Opening Doors for Franchise Growth

layoffs-surge-to-pandemic-era-highs-opening-doors-for-franchise-growth

District Taco Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

franchise-deep-dive-district-tacos-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Franchisee spotlight image with photo of Robert Trujillo and UWRG logo on blue background

How Robert Trujillo Expanded His Construction Business With UWRG

how-robert-trujillo-expanded-his-construction-business-with-uwrg

How a Pizza Factory Franchisee Went From Owning 5 Locations to Becoming the Brand’s CEO

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS