Press & Media

Founded on the principles of quality ingredients, unique ambiance and top-tier customer service, Crust Pizza Co. opened its doors in 2011 in The Woodlands, Texas. Since then, nine more Crust Pizza Co. locations have opened around the Houston area and Lake Charles, Louisiana with plans for continued growth. While many restauranteurs have been forced to close locations throughout the ongoing pandemic, Crust Pizza Co. is thankful to have thrived and has its sights set on the future. The delicious “pizza &more” eatery is slated to celebrate its first decade in business with the opening of eight new locations in 2021.

“It’s unbelievable to see how this business has not only grown, but developed into exactly what we hoped it would–a welcoming,neighborhood spot where guests can enjoy quality pizza without sacrificinggreat atmosphere,” says Mark Rasberry, co-founder of Crust Pizza Co. “We’ve been strategic about our growth for that very reason, and we’re confident our upcoming locations will uphold that standard.”

Longtime friends since fifth grade, Rasberry and co-founder, Clint Price, grew up together and were college roommates. Following the financial crisis in 2008, Rasberry and Price reconnected and began brainstorming ways to strike a partnership. With Price’s background in the restaurant industry, Rasberry’s business background and a natural born love for pizza, the decision was made to start a pizzeria. For nearly two years, Price worked in pizzerias, gaining an in-depth understanding of the business. While developing the business plan, the two scoured the country, tasting pizza and scouting locations everywhere from North Carolina, Georgia and Austin, Texas before landing in The Woodlands. After their intensive (and delicious) research, Rasberry and Price had clearly identified what the hole in the market was: a pizzeria that struck a balance between both mouthwatering pizza and an atmosphere worth dining in. With that in mind, they set out to offer a high-quality product at a fair price point with an ambiance that perfectly bridges the gap between date night and post-game little league celebrations. Given the meticulous planning of each location, Rasberry and Price brought on Carl Comeaux and Nicholas Fontenot to bring Crust Pizza Co. into Louisiana and help grow the franchise. Comeaux and Fontenot’s extensive franchise backgrounds made them the perfect fit to help with the aggressive growth Crust plans to see over the next few years.

The pizza,served “tavern style,” focuses on its namesake. The signature house made dough is made from scratch daily and features the perfect blend of premium unbleached and un-bromated flour, milled from the highest quality of wheat, extra virgin olive oil cold pressed from organically grown olives, purified water, perfectly formulated active dry yeast, salt and just a pinch of sugar, creating a perfectly crispy crust that manages to hold up gourmet toppings. Also available in a cauliflower option, the crust is topped with cheeses that are shredded from the block daily, freshly chopped produce and meats sliced daily. In addition to its signature Gourmet Thin Crust Pizza, Crust’s award-winning menu features fan-favorite appetizers like Garlic Cheese Bread and Garlic Knots, flatbread sandwiches, pastas—all made fresh to order—and hand-crafted salads, topped off with mouth-watering desserts like warm brownies and the “Cookie Monster” cookie skillet, both topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup, gelato or Cinnamon Roll Dipping Sticks. Crust’s equally important drink menu features wines by the bottle or glass, bottled beer and beer on tap.

While those in The Woodlands (two locations), Spring (four locations), Conroe, Cinco Ranch, Montgomery and Lake Charles can currently enjoy a “Carl’s King” or a “Madelyn’s Alfredo,” residents of Lafayette, Moss Bluff and Baton Rouge, Louisiana as well as an additional Spring location, Houston (Memorial), Webster, Huntsville and Kingwood, Texas will have access to the delectable pizza and stylish ambiance in 2021 as part of Crust Pizza Co.’s expansion plan.

“We’ve been extremely thoughtful in our creation of Crust, knowing how important fresh ingredients, a welcoming community and great atmosphere were to us, and we’re looking forward to bringing that same, quality product to new locations in 2021,” says Clint Price.