Franchising

Your Pie targets Wilmington for North Carolina franchise expansion

Photo: Your Pie

July 8, 2026

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Your Pie, an Atlanta-based fast-casual pizza franchise, will expand its footprint in North Carolina, targeting Wilmington and the Cape Fear region for its next wave of growth, according to a press release.

The brand, which currently has locations in Lumberton and Wilmington, aims to leverage North Carolina's strong franchising climate. The International Franchise Association recently named the state one of the top 10 fastest-growing states for franchising in 2026. Your Pie officials noted that Wilmington's growing demographic of remote workers, retirees, families and University of North Carolina Wilmington students makes it an ideal market for expansion.

"Wilmington is exactly the kind of market where Your Pie can make a meaningful local impact," Ken Caldwell, CEO and head of development of Your Pie, said in the press release. "The community has a great mix of year-round residents, visitors, college students and families, and at the heart of our brand is building genuine connections with the people we serve. North Carolina has already proven to be a strong fit for Your Pie, and we see Wilmington as an opportunity to continue creating a fresh, approachable dining experience that feels rooted in community."

To support this expansion, Your Pie recently introduced a redesigned restaurant model. The updated prototype features a smaller, 2,000-square-foot footprint designed to increase unit-level efficiency and scalability for franchise owners. The model includes streamlined kitchen operations, an enhanced ordering experience, expanded online ordering capabilities and a broader catering platform. The company is also exploring non-traditional campus locations and new company-owned restaurants.

Founded in 2008 in Athens, Georgia, by Drew and Natalie French, Your Pie was inspired by the couple's honeymoon on the Italian island of Ischia. The concept centers on customizable, brick-oven pizzas made with hand-tossed dough. The menu has since expanded to include oven-baked pastas, salads, wings, sandwiches, gelato, craft beer and wine.

"Wilmington has the kind of energy that aligns naturally with Your Pie: relaxed, social, family-friendly and rooted in local connection," Lisa Dimson, CMO of Your Pie, added in the press release. "Whether guests are grabbing dinner after a day at the beach, meeting friends near campus or looking for an easy meal with the family, Your Pie offers the flexibility and hospitality that fits into everyday life."

Now headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, the brand operates more than 60 locations nationwide.