How This Entrepreneurial Couple Turned Their Family Love for Pizza into a Thriving Crust Pizza Co. Franchise

Zhe Zhang and his wife Leah, both professionals in corporate roles — he in project management and she in accounting — decided to venture into franchising after recognizing the appeal of owning their own business. Inspired by their two boys’ love for pizza and their frequent visits to their local restaurant Crust Pizza Co., they chose to become business owners with the franchise, attracted by its strong community-oriented model. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the couple sought greater control over their future and were impressed by the structured support system Crust Pizza Co. offered, from site selection to staff training and quality control. They’ll be opening their restaurant in the Houston suburb of Conroe soon. Their goal is to establish strong local ties in their community, giving back to local schools and hospitals while providing exceptional service.

Zhe Zhang took the time to chat with 1851 Franchise to discuss all of this and more. Here’s what he had to say.

1851 Franchise: Frame your personal story for us. What did you do before franchising, and how did you decide franchising made sense for you?

Zhe Zhang: We moved to the Houston area in 2015, and we have two boys who really like pizza. There’s a [Crust Pizza Co.] location that’s very close to where we live, and we started going there a lot. The boys loved it, and during COVID, we started thinking about the future. My background is in project management for a large corporation and my wife is an accounting manager for a large corporation as well. We realized we didn’t want to work for someone else our whole lives, so we wanted to start something of our own. Given that the boys loved the pizza and we liked the business model, we started learning more about the restaurant business and got in contact with the corporate team. We decided it was a good way to go.

1851: What was your perception of franchising before becoming a franchisee, and what do you want people to know about franchising now that you're in it?

Zhang: As first-time business owners, particularly in the restaurant business, we didn’t have a lot of experience. The benefit of franchising is that you pay a fee, but there’s someone guiding you through the important steps. That way, you don’t miss anything, and you don’t waste money on things you don’t really need. 

One great thing about Crust is that they have a strong training team. From selecting locations to training staff and ensuring quality control, they have a process in place for every single step you need. That’s one of the main reasons we chose Crust and the franchise model. Some franchises don’t have great support, but Crust does an exceptional job of holding your hand through everything.

1851: What made you choose this brand? What excites you most about this company?

Zhang: I’m excited about Crust because I really like the pizza, and they’re very neighborhood-oriented. They give back to the community, do a lot with local schools, and they don’t give off that big corporation feeling. I’ve worked for corporations for years, and you often feel like just a number. But here, you can actually make a difference.

1851: What’s your big goal this year?

Zhang: This year, we want to build relationships with the local community — nearby hospitals, local schools — letting them know we’re here to support them as much as we can. We want to provide exceptional quality and service.

1851 Franchise: What advice do you have for aspiring franchisees?

Zhang: I would say the Crust team does a really good job supporting new franchisees, especially in guiding you through training, the financial side, and the operational side of things. This is really helpful for first-time business owners. They also have an excellent product, and the brand is well-known in the Houston area. When people see the sign, they know what to expect before they even walk in. That’s a good thing. You just have to spend the time learning the business and dedicating yourself to it. You have to take care of your business and make a difference.

ABOUT CRUST PIZZA CO.

Crust Pizza Co. is a rapidly growing pizza franchise known for its nostalgic dine-in experience and commitment to quality ingredients. Founded in 2011, Crust Pizza Co. has expanded from a single location in The Woodlands, Texas, to 27 restaurants nationwide. The franchise offers a unique combination of fresh, high-quality pizzas, a modern yet cozy dining atmosphere, and robust franchisee support. For more information, please visit https://crustpizzaco.com/franchising/.