Franchising

&pizza gets first franchisee with sale of 3 restaurants

Photo: &pizza

June 18, 2025

Just two months after &pizza announced it was franchising, the brand has its first franchisee, I Will Pizza. I Will Pizza has acquired three of &pizza's restaurants in Washington, D.C., according to a press release.

The franchisee has taken over pizzerias at Navy Yard, U Street and H Street, the first to open in 2012.

I Will Pizza is under the helm of Washington D.C. entrepreneur Isaiah Williams who has more than 30 years of experience in QSR's and fast casuals. Williams is also a former NCAA football player at the University of Arizona and University of Virginia.

"We couldn't be more excited to welcome Isaiah to the &pizza family and are looking forward to seeing his team flourish here in D.C.," Mike Burns, CEO of &pizza, said in the press release. "Since we announced franchising, we've fielded an incredible amount of interest from entrepreneurs like Isaiah that see the potential behind the brand and the opportunities for growth. The momentum's contagious, and we're close to finalizing several deals right now to sell additional locations and are having deep discussions with operators looking to develop in new markets. Stay tuned, there's a lot more to come."

&pizza plans to hit 300 restaurants by the end of the decade. In addition to focusing on selling its existing corporate owned locations, &pizza will engage with operators looking to help the brand expand its footprint and develop in markets outside of the East Coast where the brand has been building over the last 12 years.

"As a Washingtonian, it's hard not to know &pizza," Williams said in the press release. "I've been watching this brand for quite some time, and in addition to being drawn to its energy and vibe, I'm perhaps most moved by the philanthropy and activism that's been at the heart of &pizza since it first opened the doors of its H street location back in 2012. I'm looking forward to growing with the brand and working alongside Mike and his team as they bring more entrepreneurs to the system and under the &pizza umbrella."

&pizza was founded in 2012 and has locations across the East Coast in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.