Award-Winning Grimaldi’s Pizzeria Heats up Franchise Expansion 

Grimaldi's Pizzeria stands primed for growth, poised to expand as an iconic brand with experienced franchisees. 

“Our goal is to support 30 to 40 multi-unit hospitality franchisees across the U.S. who have the infrastructure, the talent, and who understand our winning formula of people, product, and service,” says Joseph Ciolli, Grimaldi’s CEO. 

Renowned for its coal-fired, brick oven thin crust pizza, the New York-style family-friendly dining destination has built an award-winning brand consisting of 42 company-owned restaurants in 11 states on the principles of franchising, without franchisees…until now.  With the April 2019 launch of Grimaldi’s domestic franchise program, the brand looks to grow with qualified operators.

“Our systems and processes have been developed, implemented, and tested, so we're really in a place where we know what works,” notes Ciolli. “We've created an effective training program to get our franchisees prepared to deliver our concept to guests in every unit, every day, and repeat our success.”

Grimaldi’s pizza is legendary. The brand uses only the freshest ingredients, a “secret recipe” pizza sauce, and hand-tossed dough in an open kitchen concept that allows guests to see the art of pizza making firsthand.  Every Grimaldi’s restaurant captures the essence and energy of the original Brooklyn neighborhood pizzeria, including the signature centerpiece coal-brick oven and the custom water system designed to replicate New York City water, essential to achieve the pizzeria’s authentic taste.  

“Our signature coal-fired brick ovens are custom built by hand in each location,” explains Ciolli. “This allows us to create the unique crispy and smoky crust loved by our guests. Using a coal brick-oven bakes our pizzas and calzones to perfection while delivering a tantalizing aroma and unique flavor that is just not possible from gas, convection, or wood ovens.”

In the world of pizza, Grimaldi’s is an institution that has earned many national and local awards including “Best Pizza” by Food Network,  the “#1 Pizzeria” by Zagat 13 years in a row, featured as “The best pizzeria in New York” by The Travel Channel, and has received the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences’ Five Stars Diamond Award five years in a row.  Along with hand-crafted pizzas, calzones, and antipasto, Grimaldi’s serves a variety of delicious salads and house-made desserts, including its renowned cheesecakes.  A premium bar with an extensive wine list perfectly completes any occasion.

An exciting opportunity for franchisees, Grimaldi’s has experienced strong unit economics while earning a large following of loyal guests and brand ambassadors across the United States. The concept has a strong brand presence in the marketplace while being young enough to offer open territories to qualified operators.

“We are focused on finding sophisticated operators who have the passion to grow our brand with us” says Ciolli.

Ready to discover your opportunities to grow with Grimaldi’s Pizzeria? Head over to grimaldispizzeria.com/franchising.

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