STRATEGIC PARTNERS
September 25, 2018
In the largest multi-unit deal this year and one of the biggest in brand history, Mr. Gatti's Pizza has sold 13 Austin, Texas corporate locations to a group of entrepreneurs that includes two former operations executives at Papa John's, a news release said.
Three Dough Boys, LLC., owned by former Papa John's executives, Jeff Tisdel and Kenny Starks also includes ownership by a third Austin-area entrepreneur, Richie Jarzombek
"Mr. Gatti's has been an Austin staple for nearly 50 years," Tisdel said in the release. "As we approach the anniversary, I am eager to join the Mr. Gatti's family to take on the Austin market and continue to grow the Mr. Gatti's brand in our hometown. We are looking at renovations for some locations, operational changes and possibly opening new locations down the line."
Mr. Gatti's in South Park Meadows will remain a corporate location, and all other Mr. Gatti's franchise locations in the surrounding Austin area will remain unaffected.
All Mr. Gatti's locations will now feature a buffet and family entertainment center with a game room. This sale comes at a time when Mr. Gatti's has rebooted its brand and begun franchising again. The first franchise location in seven years opened in Killeen, Texas, in early 2018, with another location in Tyler, Texas opening in the fall.
"Mr. Gatti's is in the midst of a tremendous growth period as we reenergize our brand and bring in new franchisees," said Michael Poates, president of Mr. Gatti's Pizza. "At the corporate office, we've put resources into finding what keeps our customers coming back and found that providing a great product and a place to welcome families is where we excel. Jeff will make a fantastic franchisee for the Austin area, where Mr. Gatti's first began."
