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MOD Pizza announces 2016 growth plan

MOD Pizza will double its stores to nearly 200 locations.

January 13, 2016

MOD Pizza announced plans to double its store base to nearly 200 locations by the end of the eayr. MOD will continue to build upon its growing footprint primarily through company-owned locations, which will be complemented by a select number of multi-unit franchise partnerships, according to a company press release. In addition to entering six new markets in the United States, including Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina and Wisconsin, the company will also debut its first international location in the United Kingdom this year.

MOD Pizza's upcoming plans follow a 2015 marked by 61 new locations, expansion into eight new states, the addition of 1,300 employees, and raising $45 million of equity to fund growth. The company's 2015 successes include ending the year with 92 stores (including 80 company-owned locations), revenue growth of over 200 percent to more than $60 million and same-store sales growth of 12.4 percent. The company added two new domestic multi-unit franchise partners this year, bringing MOD's total number of U.S. franchise stores to 149. Internationally, the company announced its first global commitment with Sir Charles Dunstone and Roger Taylor to bring MOD to the UK during the first half of 2016. The company will continue to pursue its strategy focused on growing company-owned stores supported by qualified franchise partners to grow the brand domestically and internationally, the release stated.

"We are very pleased with our growth in 2015, and believe our success in an increasingly competitive fast casual marketplace is a testament to the quality of our food and the unparalleled experience delivered by our MOD Squad," said Scott Svenson, co-founder and CEO of MOD Pizza. "As a purpose-led organization, we believe that a business can succeed by putting its people first, while offering consumers an authentic, affordable and fast dining experience. We remain committed to sharing our unique concept with new consumers and look forward to bringing MOD to many new markets in 2016."

Also during 2015, new partners, King Arthur Flour Company and Mama Lil's Peppers joined the list of MOD's specialty food purveyors. As well, Fortune magazine recognized MOD as the seventh best place to work in retail in their annual "20 Best Workplaces in Retail" list and for the second year in a row, MOD was named to theInc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. In September 2015, Harvard Business School released a case study on MOD ("MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe") focusing on the company's culture and its effect on the brand's growth. The case will be studied at Harvard and other business schools throughout 2016.

To demonstrate to MOD employees the power of giving and the importance of gratitude, MOD donated over $283,000 to more than 100 community-based non-profit organizations across the U.S., including $125,000 during its annual "Spreading MODness" campaign in November.