Pieology Expands into China; Expects To Double Global Unit Count in 5 Years

Pieology, part of the new breed of better pizza brands, has announced what it called "a major strategic alliance" in China with Shanghai-based TZG Partners. With other overseas franchise deals in Mexico and Spain, the California-based company expects to more than double in size in the next 5 years.

Led by a group of Stanford University alumni, TZG Partners is a global firm that builds and invests in high-growth China-related businesses. Under the exclusive, long-term master franchise agreement, Pieology will leverage TZG's experience in developing and growing successful restaurant retail brands to rapidly expand and build the fast casual pizza brand in China.

"When looking at the opportunity and market size of China, finding the right partner that has a shared vision for how we can 'Serve Creativity' and create local relevance in a meaningful way was of critical importance to us," said Gregg Imamoto, Pieology's CEO in the announcement. "We're very confident in TZG Partners and the team they've built to strategically grow our brand long term."

Pieology Founder and Chairman Carl Chang said, "We're thrilled to see that what started as a family idea in Fullerton, California, to bring great food and community together, will now become a global destination for great fast casual pizza."

The expansion news comes as Pieology continues to experience domestic growth, from both a corporate and franchise perspective, with additional new locations planned across the country, while also being open to new, multi-unit prospective franchisees in key strategic markets.

Founded in 2011, Pieology Pizzeria has more than 130 restaurants in 22 states and internationally.