News

The Pie Hole expands into Orange County with 1st franchisee

June 29, 2016

The Pie Hole, which originated in Downtown Los Angeles, opened its first Orange County location last month in the historic Old Towne Orange district.

This is the chain's first franchised location. It follows the opening of second corporate store in Old Town Pasadena and precedes the opening of a third corporate location in Hollywood, according to a press release.

Rick and Madeleine Anaya, owners of the Orange County location, said they plan to open two more establishments in the area.

"I’ve spent countless years running large organizations around the world," Rick Anaya said in the release. "I was in the foreign exchange and education world — and while it was fulfilling and I was successful at it, I’m at a stage in my life where I don't want to travel anymore, need to stay local and be near my growing family of kids and grandkids, be part of a community, build a business that my family and I can run together, and make people in my neighborhood happy. And what better way to make someone’s day than a serving a slice of pie?" 

Asked what advice he would offer prospective Pie Hole franchisees, he said, "This is not a 9 to 5 job — it’s an overtime commitment. As simple as The Pie Hole is, it is not easy; it’s a lot of hard work and there are many challenges that won’t be overcome unless you absolutely love what you’re doing, take care of your people — both customer and employees — and are maniacal about quality. Only then will it be as rewarding as it has been for us."

Although their store has only been open for a month, the Anayas are already actively looking at sites in the 1,500 to 2,000 square-foot range in high-density office and residential areas that offer convenient customer access.