The award-winning Detroit-style pizzeria is leveraging leadership ahead of its next chapter of growth
On the heels of opening its 21st location, Via 313 Pizzeria has appointed Kiplan Welsch its president. Welsch has served as the Detroit-style pizzeria’s vice president of operations since 2023.
Originally hailing from Oklahoma, Welsch has been in restaurant operations his entire career. He started at Chili’s back in 2002, where he oversaw new store openings during its high-growth period across multiple markets. After working at PF Chang’s as an operating partner, he then spent the next decade at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, where he rose in the ranks and ultimately served as its area vice president. Welsch then moved to Bluestone Hospitality as its vice president of operations, overseeing 34 restaurants and five area directors.
For the past year, Welsch has been instrumental in Via 313’s growth strategy and leadership development as the brand entered its fifth major metro, reached a milestone 131,000 members on its loyalty and rewards app, and ranked on the 2024 Inc. 5000.
“I am honored for the opportunity to lead Via 313 as its president and am eager to maintain the incredible momentum we have built as a brand,” said Welsch, who lives in Texas with his wife, Shannon, and their two daughters. “My ultimate goal is to protect the culture and the integrity of the brand that Brandon and Zane have built, as well as keep the brand moving forward with innovation, technology, and hospitality.”
Via 313 started 13 years ago in a small, non-descript trailer in Austin, Texas. Founded by Detroit-born brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt, the pizzeria began with a passion for sharing the style of pizza the Hunts knew and loved growing up. In 2020, Via 313 partnered with Savory Fund, an innovative private equity firm that invests in emerging restaurant concepts, and was named Independent Pizzeria of the Year by Pizza Today.
“We’ve watched Kip lead Via 313 with undeniable strength and care,” said Andrew K. Smith, managing director of SavoryFund.com. “Via 313 is leading the Detroit-style pizza casual dining revolution, and Kip is the right leader at the right time. We’re thrilled to work alongside him while we expand Via 313 into more markets across the country.”
“We have the utmost trust and respect for Kip and the way he is leading Via 313,” added Zane Hunt, co-founder. “Not only does he understand restaurant operations, but he understands the heart of Via 313 and what makes our culture unique. My brother and I are grateful to have his high caliber of experience and character at the helm.”
To learn more about Via 313, visit Via313.com.
Before Detroit-style pizza became a hit outside of the Motor City, trailblazers Brandon and Zane Hunt decided to bring their hometown pizza to Austin, Texas. Since 2011, they’ve built an Austin icon that locals and tourists flock to for genuine Detroit-style pizza. Via 313 currently operates 20 full-service restaurants and two permanently placed trailers throughout Texas and Utah, with several more locations in the pipeline. Via 313 was dubbed “one of the very best pizzas” by Food and Wine Magazine, named “Independent Pizzeria of the Year” by Pizza Today and recognized as one of the “Top 10 Pizzas in America” by Food Network. It also won “Best Gluten-Free Pizza in America” by USA Today. It also prioritizes supporting local communities with its Better Giving Through Pizza initiative, which in 2024 alone has already donated over $100,000 to 20+ local organizations. For more information, visit Via313.com or follow Via 313 on Instagram, Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter).
Savory is an innovative private equity firm that combines over $750 million in assets under management with a growth playbook and expertise that has been developed over 16 years of operating in the restaurant industry. Savory partners with high-potential, profitable, emerging restaurant brands, to deliver financial capital, industry expertise, growth and revenue opportunities, profitability enhancements and new location development. The Savory team contributes directly to all aspects of growth and replication by using a proven playbook and methodology. Founder involvement in the expansion of a brand is a central theme of the Savory approach as founders carry the tribal knowledge around the uniqueness that has energized early success and is essential to future growth. Savory is currently invested in the following brands: Swig, R&R BBQ, PINCHO, Via 313 Pizzeria, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food, 86 Repairs, Saigon Hustle, Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, Houston TX Hot Chicken and South Block. For more information, visit SavoryFund.com.
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