Operations

Four decades in pizza: Lessons in consistency, community and smart growth

By prioritizing product integrity, franchisee support, and community trust over short-term trends, Pizza Guys has achieved 40 years of sustainable growth and brand loyalty.

Photo: Pizza Guys

February 26, 2026 by Shahpour Nejad — Founder/PRESIDENT/CEO, Pizza Guys Franchises Inc.

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In the restaurant business, especially in pizza, 40 years is a long time. You see trends change and watch brands come and go. After four decades building Pizza Guys with my partner Reza Kalantari, I've gained a clear perspective on what it really takes to create a brand with staying power.

Like many restaurant brands, we've faced many challenges over the years: labor shortages, rising food costs and economic downturns. These challenges aren't new and likely won't go away. What matters is how you respond to them. For us, the answer has always been simple: listen closely to our customers and our franchisees, never cut corners and do things the right way. While it can be tempting to compromise in times of stress, we've succeeded by doubling down on consistency and teamwork. Protecting the integrity of our product and supporting our franchisees has allowed many of our operators to build sustainable, multi-unit businesses. By leaning into our systems, comprehensive training, and peer support, we have grown together as a team.

40 years of earning loyalty

One of our biggest triumphs is reaching this 40-year milestone. We started with a single pizza restaurant and grew into a franchise system with more than 101 locations and a loyal customer base. Along the way, we have seen families grow up with Pizza Guys as part of their routine. We have also seen franchisees build thriving businesses that support their families and communities. Those moments are powerful reminders that a restaurant brand can become part of people's lives, not just a place to eat.

As we have scaled throughout the years, a key aspect of what got us here is staying true to our original mission. From day one, our focus has been quality food with people as the priority. This mission hasn't changed. By investing in strong training programs, we have strengthened the tools and resources that support this mission. Focusing on strong training and hands-on support for franchisees helps maintain standards across the system. When operators are well-trained and supported, customers receive the experience they expect.

At the same time, a brand cannot stand still for 40 years. We have introduced new menu items, improved ordering technology and continually responded to customer and franchisee feedback. For us, evolving is not about chasing every trend; it's about enhancing the customer's experience while keeping the traditional recipes and qualities people know us for.

One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been watching franchisees succeed beyond their first store. Across California, operators have built stable teams, navigated economic cycles and created businesses that support their families and communities for the long term. Their success stories are the clearest proof that our approach of steady growth, hands-on support, and operational discipline works.

Community

Community has also played a major role in our journey. Pizza Guys has always been a neighborhood business at heart. Our culture is built on hard work and treating people with respect. That culture shows up in how our teams operate and in the experience customers have in our stores. When a business is part of its community, it builds trust that goes beyond transactions, and that kind of loyalty cannot be bought.

Franchising has taught me many lessons about leadership and growth. A healthy franchise system depends on strong unit-level economics and well-supported operators. If franchisees aren't equipped for success, expansion won't be sustainable. One lesson I often share with other entrepreneurs is don't grow faster than your ability to support that growth. Patience, consistency and investing in your people are critical to protecting your brand for the long term.

For anyone building a customer-focused business, my advice is straightforward: stay patient, stay consistent and never lose sight of why you started. When you focus on quality, people and long-term relationships, you give your brand the foundation it needs to last.