1851

As <a href="https://www.romeospizza.com/franchisee-apply/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-this-newly-signed-multi-unit-romeos-pizza-franchisee-is-a-true-local-pizza-champion-2716821" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Romeo’s Pizza</a>, the 50-plus-unit emerging pizza franchise out of Medina, Ohio, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/romeospizza/romeos-pizza-looks-to-add-20-new-franchise-locations-in-charlotte-2716193#featured">expands rapidly</a> across the country, the brand is specifically looking to partner with Local Pizza Champions — entrepreneurs who are passionate about giving back to their communities. After <a href="https://1851franchise.com/romeospizza/romeos-pizza-on-track-to-exceed-2021-goals-with-3843-increase-in-same-store-sales-growth-between-2019-and-2021-2716344#stories">breaking sales records</a> in both 2019 and 2020, the food-first pizza brand has already signed 33 new franchise agreements this year, and its community-oriented business model is a big part of that. Chris Mclean, a newly signed North Carolina-based franchisee, for example, is a community-driven entrepreneur who joined the <a href="https://1851franchise.com/romeospizza">Romeo’s Pizza</a> system following the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;In 2006 Mclean and his wife Brenda opened Unity Home Care, a home health care agency that provides home care services, mental health services and foster care services in Fayetteville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Mclean said they were ready to serve something new to the community, specifically by providing jobs and economic growth in the Fayetteville area. To achieve this goal, they begin to explore opportunities in the restaurant franchise industry.“<a href="https://1851franchise.com/frandev-players-ryan-rao-chief-franchising-officer-romeos-pizza-2714999">Ryan Rao</a>, Romeo’s Pizza chief franchising officer, called me while we were doing research, and we flew out to learn more about the opportunity,” said Mclean. “We observed one of their restaurants, and when I learned that their mission has always been about being active in the community, I knew it could be the right fit for me.”&nbsp;Romeo’s is adamant about making each location a pillar of its neighborhood and supporting the community both inside and outside the store. With such strong ties to his community already, Mclean knew he was perfectly positioned to achieve that mission.“The first thing I plan to do is incorporate one of my group homes for teenage boys, leveraging my Romeo’s business to give them jobs and help them earn money,” said Mclean. “With all of the community involvement we have, it will be exciting to continue to involve the brand in our outreach.”Being new to the franchise industry, Mclean says he also felt strongly about partnering with a company that was committed to operating with a <a href="https://1851franchise.com/romeospizza/why-this-lawyer-politician-and-multi-brand-franchisee-is-investing-in-romeos-pizza-2716529#featured">franchisee-focus</a>. “The franchisee support that I saw was a big reason I signed on with the brand,” said Mclean. “The communication between me and Ryan was also very strong — we spoke almost every week since visiting the headquarters in February. I knew with that franchisee-focused support, I couldn't lose.”Romeo’s Pizza CEO <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanrose2?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-this-newly-signed-multi-unit-romeos-pizza-franchisee-is-a-true-local-pizza-champion-2716821" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ryan Rose</a> has an <a href="https://1851franchise.com/romeospizza/executive-qa-romeos-pizza-ceo-ryan-rose-2716196#stories">intimate understanding</a> of the needs of Romeo’s franchisees like Mclean because he has been one himself for several years. After joining the corporate team in 2015, he utilized this experience to embark on a year-and-a-half-long project to refine Romeo’s franchise model and improve every aspect of the consumer and franchisee experience, from reducing material costs and renegotiating contracts to improving marketing strategies to drive more traffic to stores. Today, this new-and-improved business model has helped the brand break sales records and position owners like Mclean for scalable success.&nbsp;Speaking of scalability, Mclean says he is excited to spearhead the expansion of Romeo’s Pizza in North Carolina. “Romeo’s Pizza will be a good fit for North Carolina because it is a brand new option for the area,” he said. “Of course, <a href="https://1851franchise.com/romeospizza/is-romeos-pizza-the-next-big-name-in-pizza-2716191#featured">the pizza is also amazing</a>, and I believe the sweeter sauce will be a huge hit in Fayetteville.”&nbsp;Looking ahead, Mclean’s goal is to open 10 locations, with two open by January 2022 and another three open in 2023.&nbsp;“Chris is our ideal partner in ensuring the successful expansion of Romeo’s Pizza in North Carolina,” says Rose. “Chris has demonstrated a thorough understanding and connection with the ideals we share as a team and company. His experience in business ownership and dedication to supporting his community are exactly the qualities we look for in our Local Pizza Champions delivering sweet smiles, one slice at a time.”The initial investment range for a Romeo’s Pizza franchise is between $128,000 – $403,000 per unit including franchise fees, building improvement costs, training, equipment, operating cash reserves and any additional needs. To learn more about franchising with Romeo’s Pizza, visit <a href="https://romeospizzafranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=why-this-newly-signed-multi-unit-romeos-pizza-franchisee-is-a-true-local-pizza-champion-2716821" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://romeospizzafranchise.com/</a>.

Why This Newly Signed Multi-Unit Romeo’s Pizza Franchisee is a True Local Pizza Champion

1851 Franchise

With a plan to open five units in North Carolina, Chris Mclean will leverage his deep community ties to give back to those in need while spearheading the expansion of Romeo’s Pizza in the state.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

why-this-newly-signed-multi-unit-romeos-pizza-franchisee-is-a-true-local-pizza-champion

The Cleaning Authority

Why This Corporate McDonald’s Rep Decided To Open His Own Franchise With The Cleaning Authority

cleaning-authority/kent-lewis-franchise-success

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Wraps Up Q3 With First Manhattan Location, 45 New Franchises and Record-High Attendance

kidstrong-q3-growth-2025

Woodhouse Spas

Photo of front lobby area of Woodhouse Spa

Why Woodhouse Has No True Competitor in the Spa Franchise Space

luxury-spa-franchise

Right at Home

Right at Home Expanding In-Home Care Services in Wausau, Wisconsin 

right-at-home-expanding-in-home-care-services-in-wausau-wisconsin

The Growth Coach

Top 5 Reasons To Invest in The Growth Coach Franchise

top-5-reasons-to-invest-in-the-growth-coach-franchise

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

Slim Chickens Opens R&D Center at World Headquarters To Drive Menu Innovation

slim-chickens-rd-center-fayetteville

Nearly 40% of Americans Are Eating Out Less as High Prices Redefine Dining Habits

nearly-40-of-americans-are-eating-out-less-as-high-prices-redefine-dining-habits

Authority Brands Enters Q4 with Record Momentum

Authority Brands Enters Q4 with Record Momentum, Surpassing 200 New Franchise Owners in the First 10 Months of 2025

authority-brands-enters-q4-with-record-momentum-surpassing-200-new-franchise-owners-in-the-first-10-months-of-2025

Franchises, work-life balance, millennials in franchising, millennials work-life balance

The Best Franchises for Millennials Wanting Work-Life Balance

best-franchises-millennials-work-life-balance

Photo of Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza franchisee Lily Wilford

Entrepreneur: This 18-Year-Old Saved Babysitting Money for College — Then Decided to Buy a Business Instead

18-year-old-franchise-owner-lily-wilford

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

The Panos Family’s Role in Preserving Mellow Mushroom’s Character — and Expanding in Atlanta

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Ron Taylor and SweatHouz logo

From Edible Arrangements Leader to Wellness Entrepreneur: Ron Taylor's $53 Million Franchise Journey

ron-taylor-edible-arrangements-sweathouz-franchise-journey

image of matthew yocum from freshcoat painting franchisee in marin county california

How Fresh Coat Helped Matthew Yocum Turn Corporate Experience Into Purpose-Driven Business Ownership

fresh-coat-franchise-marin-county

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

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

Photo of group of dogs standing together in day care facility

Top Pet Boarding and Day Care Franchise Opportunities for 2025

top-pet-boarding-daycare-franchises

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

Why This Newly Signed Multi-Unit Romeo’s Pizza Franchisee is a True Local Pizza Champion

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS