News

Pie Five hopes to hit jackpot with casino development deal

May 4, 2016

Pie Five Pizza Co. has announced a development partnership with existing franchise partners Fred Gustin and Kurt Guttshall, of Slice of the Pie LLC and veteran casino partners Pop's Shop, to deliver the fast casual pizza concept into casinos nationwide, according to a company press release.

Gustin and Guttshall, who operate five Pie Five Pizza locations in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama, including the flagship casino location inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, have three more units in development. This team also operates 60 Applebee's locations in the southeast.

"With our unique oven technology and fresh made-to-order ingredients, Pie Five is a perfect fit for casino guests," Guttshall said. "We are able to create and bake pizzas perfectly in five minutes, so it's just a short break from the gaming tables, and guests can even use their casino comps for payment — we make it easy."

Pie Five corporate has built a strong association with veteran casino executives to capitalize on the growing market segment, said Randy Gier, CEO of parent company, Rave Restaurant Group Inc.

"Casinos are a natural fit for our business, and we already have a proven business model at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino," he said. "Casino guests are expecting an elevated dining experience and truly appreciate our artisanal, quality pizzas that are made-to-order with unlimited toppings at one great price in just 145 seconds."

The chain has not yet announced which casinos it is targeting.