Pizza Factory: Bringing Small-Town Charm to America’s Favorite Food

Pizza Factory has built a strong legacy in the pizza industry, tracing its roots back to 1979 when Danny and Carol Wheeler opened their first restaurant, Danny’s Red Devil Pizza, in Oakhurst, California—just a stone’s throw from Yosemite National Park. In 1981, loyal customers Ron and Joyce Willey launched a second location in Mariposa under the name Pizza Factory, marking the birth of the brand’s expansion journey.

By 1986, the two founding families saw an opportunity to grow and began offering franchise opportunities, targeting underserved, smaller towns throughout the western U.S. Despite its expansion, the company has stayed true to its beginnings, with its headquarters still based in Oakhurst, emphasizing a strong connection to its origins.

Pizza Factory's menu reflects its dedication to quality and variety. Customers can enjoy hand-tossed pizzas crafted with dough made fresh daily, as well as calzones, hot sandwiches, soups, wings, and signature sides like “Breadstix.” This well-rounded menu appeals to diverse tastes and provides more options than many fast-casual pizza chains.

The brand’s community-first approach is what truly sets it apart. Franchise owners are encouraged to embed their restaurants within the local culture—sponsoring teams, participating in neighborhood events, and decorating locations with locally-sourced memorabilia. This commitment to authenticity and hometown pride helps Pizza Factory create meaningful connections wherever it sets up shop.

Training

Pizza Factory offers a structured training program to ensure that franchisees and their staff are well-equipped to operate a franchise successfully. These training sessions are mandatory for key personnel and include the following types:

1. Initial Training Program
   This foundational course consists of approximately 225 hours spread over 60 days. It is mandatory for the Operating Principal and the initial general manager and covers the Standards and operations of a Pizza Factory restaurant through classroom instruction, practical training, remote sessions, and self-study.
2. On-Site Opening Assistance
   Provided around the time of the restaurant’s launch, this includes up to seven days of hands-on support from a company-provided training crew. The assistance focuses on practical implementation and operations to help set up the restaurant in line with brand requirements.
3. Additional Training Programs
   These periodic sessions may be required by the franchisor for existing or new staff. They can include live or prerecorded webinars, in-person seminars, or self-directed learning modules, depending on the franchisor's discretion and needs of the franchise.
4. Optional and Refresher Training
   Franchisees may elect to attend additional training or may be required to do so based on performance assessments. Optional programs are also available at company-wide or regional conferences and can be beneficial for continuous learning.
5. Advisory Services
   Beyond formal training, Pizza Factory provides ongoing support via field representatives and franchise business consultants. These professionals offer guidance on operations, food preparation, staffing, and other critical aspects of running the business.

Territory Protection

Pizza Factory offers its franchisees a limited form of territory protection through a designated “Protected Area.” Within this area, no other Pizza Factory restaurant will be opened or authorized, as long as the franchisee remains compliant with the agreement.

However, this exclusivity does not apply to specific customers or prevent the franchisor from fulfilling orders placed online or through mobile apps that reach customers inside the protected zone.

The protection also has significant exceptions. Pizza Factory retains the right to open or license restaurants outside the protected zone and operate other business formats, including those that may still serve the area indirectly. This means franchisees are not completely insulated from competitive activities initiated by the franchisor or its affiliates.