News

Pizza Patron franchisee envisions 15 stores for San Antonio

December 3, 2003

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—As the doors open on the city's newest pizza chain, the franchisee behind the Pizza Patrón already sees the potential for more stores.

According to the San Antonio Business Journal, Charles Loflin opened the first Pizza Patrón unit on the city's South Side. His commitment to Garland, Texas-based Pizza Patrón is to open another five stores here over the next 30 months. Loflin, however, is thinking much bigger.

"I'll get the five going pretty quickly," said Loflin. "I see a need for 10, possibly 15 stores--especially as the city grows in the outlying areas."

Pizza Patrón is a carryout-only franchise focusing on predominantly Hispanic neighborhoods. Antonio Swad founded Pizza Patrón in 1986.

"San Antonio is the perfect market for (Pizza Patrón)," Loflin said. "We're excited to be here and have already been welcomed with open arms."

Loflin certainly knows about the San Antonio restaurant scene. He currently owns and operates five Wing Stop locations; that chain was founded also by Swad in 1986. Swad built the chain to 125 stores and sold it in 2003. Loflin's sixth Wing Stop will open in early December, next door his first Pizza Patrón.

"I want to put the Pizza Patrón stores as close to the Wing Stops as I can. It'll help me get the name out there a lot faster," said Loflin. "Sixty-five percent of the business for Wing Stop is take out. Now people will be able to get great pizza and great wings."

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