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Mountain Mike’s saw massive success in 2020 — and the brand is banking on 2021 being even biggerMountain Mike’s saw massive success in 2020 — and the brand is banking on 2021 being even bigger

With new franchise agreements signed outside the fast-casual restaurant chain’s home state of California, Mountain Mike’s is trying to become a nationwide brand

Holly Petre, Assistant Digital Editor

August 31, 2021

Mountain Mike’s Pizza isn’t looking to become the official pizza of the NFL just yet – it has a deal with the San Francisco 49ers to be that franchise’s official pizza – but don’t rule it out. The fast-casual pizza chain is expanding at a safe speed for now, including its recent expansion into the Texas area.

The Southern California brand is beginning to branch out of its home state, with franchise deals in Utah, Oregon and Arizona, along with planning more units in California. In 2021, the company has already signed 100 franchise agreements with plans to open 25 more units by the end of the year.

With positive store growth in 2020, and by the looks of it 2021 as well, Mountain Mike’s will reach from coast to coast soon enough.

Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme were Stanford students in the 1980s when they discovered Mountain Mike’s Pizza’s first unit just off-campus. Almost four decades later, in 2017, they became co-owners and co-CEOs of the high-end pizza concept.

Britt spoke with Nation’s Restaurant News for the latest episode of Snapshots of Success to discuss the brand’s 13.3% increase in same-store sales in 2020 as well as the chain’s recent positive Q2 performance and growth outside of the West Coast. Plus, Britt talks about the celebration for both the brand’s 250^th store and $250,000 million milestone.

About the Author

Holly Petre

Holly Petre

Assistant Digital Editor

Holly Petre is a digital editor for Nation’s Restaurant News as well as the host of NRN’s podcast, Extra Serving, and producer for Informa Restaurant and Food Group’s other three podcasts, One On One by Food Management, Off the Shelf with SN and In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn. Holly holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sculpture, fibers and Material Studies and Ceramics from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A native New Yorker, Holly enjoys her place on staff as the resident pop-culture expert and millennial with a sassy attitude and great sense of style.

Holly Petre’s work on Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality often covers marketing and trends, either aimed-at or examined-through the millennial mindset. Holly is responsible for introducing TikTok and Twitch to NRN and RH readers as well as explaining terms like “Karen” to staff and readers alike. She also spends her time on staff trying not to make every headline a pun.

Holly Petre hasn’t spoken at any events or on panels, but she is readily available with a killer shoe wardrobe and several witty quips.

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