Mountain Mike’s Pizza recently opened a new restaurant in Carson City, Nevada, shattering the company’s previous records for first-week sales. The restaurant marks a continuation of the brand’s steady expansion across the Mountain West. On the surface, the announcement reflects another successful opening for the growing pizza chain. But a closer look reveals several reasons entrepreneurs continue to invest in …
Mountain Mike’s Pizza continues to invest in product innovation with the launch of its new GarlicParmStuft™ Crust. The offering adds a new dimension to the menu and reflects a continued focus on elevating the guest experience. For franchisees, innovations like this can help drive traffic, encourage repeat visits, and support incremental sales. The new crust starts with freshly-made dough. Bakers …
Mountain Mike’s Pizza continues to expand its footprint in Texas with the opening of a new location in Manor, just outside Austin. This marks the brand’s 13th restaurant in the state and its first entry into the Austin market. For a concept that has spent nearly five decades building a strong West Coast presence, this move reflects a disciplined growth …
How the Owners of Mountain Mike’s Pizza Built a Scalable 300+ Unit Franchise System Mountain Mike’s Pizza didn’t scale by accident. The brand’s growth reflects a deliberate strategy to build infrastructure, refine operations, and create a system that franchisees can replicate across markets. A recent episode of the ZEST with Chelsea Raineri, featuring Mountain Mike’s Pizza co-owners Chris Britt and …
Mountain Mike’s Pizza continues to solidify its position as a leading franchise opportunity with its recent recognition as the 2026 TopScore FUND Award winner in the Food category by FRANdata. The award, announced at the Multi-Unit Franchising Conference in Las Vegas, ranks Mountain Mike’s at the top among all food franchise systems evaluated this year, a distinction that signals both …
Mountain Mike’s Pizza may have earned its reputation on the West Coast, but the nearly 50-year-old family-style pizza chain is showing it is built for national success. Known for its legendary crispy, curly pepperoni, 20-inch “Mountain-sized” pizzas, and dough made fresh daily, the brand’s family-focused approach and premium positioning are resonating well beyond its California roots, particularly in the Midwest …
Mountain Mike’s Pizza was recently covered in RestaurantNews.com, and for good reason. It finished 2025 with one of the strongest years in its nearly 50-year history, marked by record expansion, major industry recognition, and sustained brand momentum. The family-style pizza chain opened 24 new restaurants, the most in its history, entered six new markets, and celebrated its 300th location. With …
Mountain Mike’s Pizza has a big milestone to celebrate. The brand has earned a spot in Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2026 Franchise 500, landing at an impressive #75 out of the Top 500 franchises nationwide. That’s also a 14-spot jump from its 2025 ranking, signaling strong momentum and continued growth. Rankings like Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 are closely watched across the franchise industry, …
We’re proud to share some exciting news: Mountain Mike’s Pizza has been recognized on Yelp’s “Most Loved Brands 2025” list, earning a spot among the most beloved restaurant brands in the country. Mountain Mike’s ranked #7 among U.S. restaurant chains and #9 overall, a powerful reflection of the loyalty, engagement, and enthusiasm our guests continue to show nationwide. This recognition …
We’re thrilled to share that Mountain Mike’s Pizza has officially secured a spot on Franchise Times’ Top 400 Franchises list—coming in at #168! This marks our very first time breaking into the top 170 and represents a leap of 14 spots from last year’s ranking. But that’s not all. In the same issue, our CEO, Jim Metevier, sat down with …
We’re thrilled to share that Mountain Mike’s Pizza has been named the #6 Best Pizza Chain in America in the 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Awards! 🏆 This recognition is extra special because it comes directly from our fans—people who’ve joined us for post-game celebrations, birthday parties, family dinners, and every kind of gathering in between. For nearly 50 years, we’ve …
Mountain Mike’s Pizza is continuing its impressive national growth with a move into its 15th state—Tennessee. The beloved family-style pizza chain, known for its 20-inch Mountain-sized pizzas, crispy pepperonis, and community-first dining experience, has signed a three-unit deal in the Nashville area. The first location is expected to open in Nolensville in 2026, with more on the way in Murfreesboro, …
While many major pizza brands faced declining sales in 2024, Mountain Mike’s Pizza stood out as a success story. With a 5% increase in sales and a 7% growth in unit count, the California-based franchise proved that investing in the in-store experience and community connection still wins in a digital-first world. In a recent interview on Take-Away with Sam Oches, …
We’re proud to share that Carol DeNembo, Chief Marketing Officer of Mountain Mike’s Pizza, has been named one of Fast Casual’s Top 35 Movers & Shakers in Marketing for 2025! This prestigious recognition highlights the top marketing leaders in the restaurant industry who are driving innovation, engagement, and brand growth. Carol’s standout achievements—like launching high-impact loyalty campaigns, developing strategic sports …
In a world where mobile orders and drive-thrus dominate, some restaurant brands are pushing back—betting big on the power of in-person connection. At Mountain Mike’s, we believe dining rooms still matter, and we’re not alone. Summary:From fast-casual concepts like CAVA to iconic names like Starbucks, industry leaders are rethinking what it means to create meaningful guest experiences. For Mountain Mike’s, …
Running a successful pizza franchise takes more than just great toppings—it requires tight operations, strong leadership, and a relentless focus on growth. In the latest episode of the Pizza Marketplace Podcast, host Mandy Detwiler sits down with Jim Metevier, CEO of Mountain Mike’s Pizza, to discuss how the California-based chain is expanding across the West Coast while maintaining its reputation …
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