PizzaRev, a fast-casual pizza concept backed by Buffalo Wild Wings, announced today that it has signed a multi-unit development agreement with Fire Em Up , LLC to develop the brand across the state of Arizona. The franchisee group is managed by Bert Hayenga, Jason Duffy, Robert Schiller and Alex Apodaca.
The principals of Fire Em Up, LLC bring a diverse wealth of experience to the PizzaRev brand. Bert Hayenga is a successful entrepreneur, restauranteur and real estate developer with over 35 years of experience. Under his leadership with Alex Apodaca acting as chief operating officer, members of the group have developed, own and operate approximately 60 Dunkin’ Donuts stores in Arizona, California, Nevada and Colorado. Jason Duffy, also familiar to the franchise world as a former Dunkin’ franchisee, is the co-founder along with Hayenga of a 25,000 square foot bakery. Duffy acquired a controlling interest in another bakery and distribution company which under his leadership has expanded operations throughout the Country, serving 1,600 locations fresh bakery products daily. Robert Schiller is the current president of Zoyo, a frozen yogurt business which originated in Arizona and is now franchised nationally.
“We considered getting into the pizza business for quite some time, but it was not until we discovered PizzaRev, and its revolutionary take on pizza, that we were inspired to finally take the leap,” said Hayenga. “It’s the right time, we have the best team in place and PizzaRev is the perfect brand to help us introduce a new pizza experience in Arizona,” said Duffy.
There are more than 100 PizzaRev locations in various stages of development across the country. The brand currently operates 28 corporate and franchise locations throughout California, Colorado, Minnesota, South Dakota, Texas and Utah. PizzaRev will also open its first international location in Mexico in Q1 2016.
“The breadth of food and beverage operations experience of the Fire Em Up team is a tremendous asset to the PizzaRev brand,” said Rodney Eckerman, co-founder and CEO of PizzaRev. “They are the ideal partners to expand PizzaRev across the state of Arizona.”
PizzaRev continues to expand nationally with support from partner Buffalo Wild Wings Inc., who in 2013 announced an equity-investment in PizzaRev and announced an increase in their stake in 2014. Named one of the “10 Brands to Watch” by CNBC and #15 in the FastCasual “Top 100 Movers and Shakers,” PizzaRev continues to seek out franchise partners who share the founders’ food-forward mission and commitment to giving back to the communities it serves.
PizzaRev is a “build-your-own” fast-casual pizza concept that has reinvented the way America eats its favorite food. Guests are empowered to fully customize a personal-sized 11″ pizza for one price. Homemade dough options, flavorful sauces, all-natural cheeses, and more than 30+ artisanal toppings, everything is on display at PizzaRev and assembled right before your eyes. The pizzas are then fired in a 900-degree, stone-bed oven which produces a thin and crispy Roman-style pizza in just three minutes. Los Angeles-based PizzaRev was founded in 2012; the executive team possesses a combination of Fortune 500 operating experience and high-profile restaurant management.
PizzaRev is currently franchising and announced a strategic partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings in 2013. The company currently operates 28 locations with more than 100 additional franchises under development in Mexico, across Washington, D.C. and 12 states: CA, CO, MA, MN, MO, ND, NV, NY, OH, SD, TX and UT.
Visit www.PizzaRev.com for the latest company news and location information. You can also find PizzaRev on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram.
