In the United States, pizza restaurant sales have reached an all time high of $46.9 billion. And for entrepreneurs looking to get in on this booming market, one opportunity stands out above the rest: Crust Pizza Co. With an efficient business model, a strong track record and an impressive average unit volume of $1.65 million, the growing pizza concept offers franchisees the chance to be part of a thriving and supportive business.
“Everyone loves pizza,” said Carl Comeaux, CEO of Crust Pizza. “It brings people together. It creates great memories. On top of that, the product that Crust has is different from any other pizza I’ve ever had. The product speaks for itself. We don’t cut any corners. And so even though there are many pizza places, each time we go into a new market, we quickly become the number one pizza place in the local magazine.”
The History of Crust Pizza Co.
Crust Pizza Co. began its journey in 2011 when childhood friends Mark Rasberry and Clint Price reconnected after pursuing separate careers. Rasberry, who sold his mortgage business right before the 2008 financial crash, and Price, a software sales professional, saw an opportunity to bring back the nostalgic dine-in pizza experience. Their vision was to create a modern twist on the classic Pizza Hut ambiance from decades past, but with a commitment to high-quality ingredients and excellent service.
Starting with a single location in The Woodlands, Texas, Crust Pizza Co. quickly became a local favorite. The secret to their success? Fresh dough made daily, proprietary mozzarella cheese shredded in-house and fresh produce that set them apart in a crowded market.
The idea of franchising the business first came from Comeaux, who had already successfully founded Main Squeeze Juice Co., a juice bar and smoothie franchise. The executive discovered Crust Pizza Co. while living in The Woodlands, Texas.
“I fell in love with it,” he said. “I met the founders, Mark and Clint, and saw the customer-first approach they had. We became friends, and decided that Crust would be the perfect franchise.”
I told Mark and Clint, hey, the only thing I'm gonna miss about The Woodlands is Crust Pizza since I was moving back to my hometown. I would love to partner with you guys now that I am moving back to the area and open up one in Lake Charles, Louisiana,’” Comeaux said. “But they looked at the demographics and said, ‘Heck no. It's terrible. It would never work there.’”
Determined and confident in Crust’s potential, Comeaux didn't stop there. With his business partner, Nick Fontenot, he started a journey to create a pizza concept of his own. Over nine months and with an investment of $150,000, they developed a concept called Rush Pizza. Around the same time, Main Squeeze Juice Co. was sold to new partners. But just days before signing the lease for Rush, Comeaux received an unexpected call from Price.
“Three days before we signed the lease,” Comeaux said, “I got a call from Clint saying, ‘Congratulations, we saw you and Nick sold a lot of Main Squeeze. What are you doing now?’ And I told him about Rush Pizza, and he said, ‘Don't do it. We changed our minds.’”
This change of heart led to a partnership that propelled Crust Pizza Co. into the franchising world. The first major franchise expansion was in Lake Charles and, contrary to the founders’ initial thoughts, it was a major success.
“Lake Charles became the number one store in every category,” Comeaux said.
Quality Ingredients, Strong Support and a Streamlined Business Model
There’s no shortage of brands in the pizza space, but Crust Pizza Co. stands out for several reasons. At the heart of the franchise’s offerings are quality ingredients and quality service. “Our cheese is probably the best I've ever had,” said Comeaux. “We created our own proprietary blend, and I'm telling you, it is phenomenal.”
The franchise also brings back the nostalgic dine-in pizza experience — but with a modern twist. The restaurants feature open ceilings, dim lighting and cozy yet upscale decor. “The ambiance on the inside is great with the grays and the whites and wood finishes,” Comeaux said. “It’s a great place to bring your kids after a ballgame or bring your wife or husband on a date night.”
Franchisees are at the core of Crust Pizza’s growth strategy and the franchise provides robust support to ensure their success. From the beginning, franchisees receive comprehensive training and support on operations, marketing and community engagement.
From the initial application and virtual meetings to discuss opportunities, franchisees receive guidance on personality tests, financial applications and franchise disclosure documents. The real estate team assists in site selection, lease negotiation and construction, while the architecture team provides detailed plans. Training includes a six-week program for managers and a three-week onsite training for staff, with continuous audits post-opening. Marketing strategists boost grand openings, and dedicated support representatives offer ongoing assistance with monthly success calls. Additionally, an in-house technology team maintains and improves operational platforms, ensuring franchisees have the tools they need to thrive.
Crust Pizza Co. has also spent time honing its business model to be the most streamlined version it can be. For example, the restaurants initially spanned about 3,000 square feet, but the company discovered that a 2,300- to 2,500-square-foot space could still accommodate 70 seats. The brand also consolidated its menu, focusing on high-quality pizzas, salads, flatbreads and appetizers. This change not only improved kitchen efficiency but also enhanced customer satisfaction.
“We condensed our menu to around 30-35 items, made the layout more efficient and changed the pricing structure,” said Comeaux. “We have a more efficient operation now, which has resulted in higher profitability and a better customer experience.”
Another key advantage? The franchise’s financial stability.
“We’re not private equity backed; we are bootstrap and debt-free, and we’re doing things the right way,” Comeaux said. This stability provides a secure foundation for franchisees to invest with confidence.
Crust Pizza’s Plans for Development
Currently operating 27 restaurants, Crust Pizza Co. aims to open 10 more by the end of 2024 and eventually reach a target of 25 new openings annually. “We're in a really good position to target those multi-unit franchisees with solid profit margins and a strong support system,” said Comeaux.
The franchise is particularly focused on expanding within the Southeast U.S., targeting states from Texas to Florida, up to the Carolinas, and across Tennessee and Arkansas. This regional concentration allows Crust Pizza Co. to effectively manage resources and provide dedicated support to its franchisees, ensuring consistent quality and service across all locations.
A key component of Crust’s growth strategy is opening corporate stores in new regions to serve as training locations and showcase the brand’s potential to prospective franchisees.
“We want to create more awareness with what we're doing,” said Comeaux.
In order to support this growth, Crust Pizza Co. is seeking franchisees who are not just investors, but passionate operators who share the company’s dedication to quality and who can be deeply involved in the day-to-day management of their restaurants.
“We pride ourselves in customer service and delivering great pies,” said Comeaux. “Our leaders are on the floor 90% of the time, not stuck in an office.”
Crust Pizza Co. welcomes franchisees from diverse professional backgrounds, including those transitioning from corporate America.
“We have had success with corporate America persons turning into owner-operators, as well as other business owners who either liquidate and move on to another venture or add Crust as a second concept with a management team in place,” Comeaux said.
For entrepreneurs who desire to be part of a growing, community-focused brand, Crust Pizza Co. offers a strong franchise opportunity with a product that is sure to be loved by consumers around the country.
“We believe in doing the right thing, doing the best you can and showing others you care,” said Comeaux. “If you do that every day, we're gonna win.”
