Hungry Howie's Soars With Growth

No matter how you slice it, Hungry Howie's Pizza delivers growth.

The beloved brand—the originator of the Flavored Crust pizza—continues to bust boundaries as a top pizza franchise with exceptional same-store sales, backed by over 45 years of experience.

Hungry Howie’s has racked up 35 quarters of consecutive sales increases. Comps rose 5.15 percent in 2018, compared to the previous year for the 550-unit chain, founded in 1973.

“We are extremely pleased to see the momentum across our business continued for almost nine consecutive years. Additionally, I am particularly proud of our team's endless dedication to our customers,” says Steve Jackson, chief executive officer of Hungry Howie's. “As we look forward, we will continue to provide consumers with a positive experience all while creating exceptional pizza to drive consistent performance across the brand.”

Jackson has been at the heart of Hungry Howie’s success from the start. As a  teenager, he delivered pizzas for founder, Jim Hearn, who transformed a hamburger shop in the suburbs of Detroit into a delivery and carryout pizzeria. Jackson later partnered with Hearn, opened the second Hungry Howie’s location, driving the expansion of the chain and the move into franchising in 1983.

Over the years, Hungry Howie’s has evolved into an innovative brand, famous for its flavored crusts combined with top-quality ingredients, and a proven franchise that fosters a culture of change. A new store design and recent moves to leverage technology to strengthen its burgeoning customer base are paying off.  Along with an integrated point-of-sale system, Hungry Howie’s introduced an updated mobile app and online order platform and rolled out the Howie Rewards loyalty program. On tap next: a fully integrated marketing plan in every aspect.

“Our advertising has to be very aggressive and strategic,” Jackson says. “Because the dollars have to be focused in the right areas. What was right five, 10 years ago, it’s not right anymore.”

Jackson credits his franchisees for embracing change with an open mind and a readiness to test and react to a changing marketplace. It’s a fitting acknowledgement for a brand with a core focus to treat everyone like family.

“Provide people the opportunity to enrich their lives and their communities,” Jackson explains. “That’s it. That’s all we really try to do is teach people how to be in business. This applies to our employees, our franchisees, and everyone in the field.”

With stores in 20 states, Hungry Howie’s is poised to climb to new heights with expansion as a national brand.  Store openings are planned across a multitude of markets, including, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, and Tennessee. Hungry Howie’s offers single and multi-development franchises and territories—a franchise opportunity you won’t find with other quick service pizza concepts.  

“We hope to open maybe 50 stores next year,” adds Jackson. “That would be a nice, aggressive number for us, and my goal personally is just to maintain the pace and the positive energy that we’ve had for these last few years. It’s our goal to keep that pace moving, to keep everyone in our organization excited about the growth and making our brand as good as we can make it."

Ready to discover your opportunities with Hungry Howie’s Pizza? Head to franchising.hungryhowies.com.

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Hungry Howie's Pizza
Hungry Howie’s is EXPANDING! Top markets are available for single and multi-unit development. Join a pizza brand with over 50 years of experience, a proven business model and strong sales-to-investment ratios…to name a few. Learn More