Restaurant’s Brick-and-Mortar and Mobile Units Specialize in Wood-Fired Pies
As Cascadia Pizza Co. enters its second decade, the Seattle-based restaurant is going for growth by teaming up with Franchise FastLane. Only after rigorous vetting does the franchise development company add emerging brands to its portfolio, helping them scale efficiently and responsibly.
In a news release about the new partnership, Franchise FastLane listed several brand attributes that led to greenlighting Cascadia Pizza Co.:
- Low start-up costs.
- Diverse and recurring revenue streams.
- Likely revenue growth within the pizza restaurant industry overall.
- Brand leadership with more than 40 years of restaurant experience.
- Strong growth potential for its franchise model.
- Cascadia’s commitment to giving back by assisting shelters, hospitals and police departments in its hometowns. Community engagement includes its “PNW – Pizza Never Wasted” initiative, which ensures that surplus pies aid local charities and outreach organizations instead of being discarded.
About the Cascadia Pizza Franchise
Cascadia Pizza began with humble roots back in 2015, when founder Christian Buck started catering pizzas from a trailer. Then in 2019, Buck partnered with today’s CEO Calvin Freatman and Chief Financial Officer Thomas Reinhard to open the first brick-and-mortar location. Today Cascadia Pizza Co. operates its seven brick-and-mortar restaurants and five mobile units in three states.
Cascadia Pizza’s brick-and-mortar restaurants require a smaller footprint than most pizzerias, and they require no fryers or grills. They operate with lean labor, requiring only four to five employees per shift, and those employees are easily trained. Territories are generous, and franchisees do not need restaurant experience. Corporate training for franchisees covers human resources requirements, marketing techniques, accounting, operational processes and product preparation, with each franchisee making about 1,000 pizzas during training.
Cascadia Pizza is known for combining innovative contemporary flavors with the Old World cooking of its pies in wood-fired Italian ovens. Cascadia pizzas incorporate premium quality ingredients atop hand-stretched Neapolitan dough. Toppings include traditional options such as pepperoni, mozzarella and other cheeses, and red sauce. But Cascadia adds unique zings with hot honey, balsamic vinegar, jalapeño peppers, and ranch and Buffalo sauces. Cascadia’s menu goes beyond pizza to offer wings, salads, breadsticks and dessert pies.
Although many restaurant brands suffer during economic uncertainty such as rising inflation, pizza restaurants appear to have a stable future. “Pizza’s affordability will likely continue insulating it from severe economic shifts, while its widespread availability will ensure new generations are familiar with it, creating a steady stream of new customers,” industry research specialist IBISWorld states. Pizza restaurants’ revenue was on track to grow about 1.4% last year, IBISWorld reports, and its market size should increase from now through 2030.
Partnering with Franchise FastLane
Cascadia’s CEO expects his pizza brand to take off under FastLane’s wing. “Our focus has always been on great food and genuine hospitality, and Franchise FastLane will help us expand that mission,” Freatman says. “With FastLane’s expertise and support, we’re giving restaurant owners and operators the opportunity to build successful brick-and-mortar and mobile businesses.”
FastLane President and COO Tim Koch considers Cascadia to be a high-potential brand. “Christian and the Cascadia Pizza Co. team have developed a proven concept and products that people love. Their brick-and-mortar locations and mobile food units create incredible opportunities for franchisees. They are committed to quality, hospitality and community connection, and we’re proud to be able to play an important part in helping Cascadia Pizza Co. grow from coast to coast across the United States.”
About Franchise FastLane
Omaha-based Franchise FastLane is an 8-year-old franchise accelerator that was co-founded by Carey Gille, who serves as CEO today. Gille saw the need for FastLane after confronting many challenges when she attempted to expand a national nutrition franchise. Franchise FastLane takes pride in helping brands grow wisely and customizing its services to each franchise as needed. FastLane rapidly evolved into a leading franchise development partner with about two dozen brands in its general portfolio and 13 in its CarPool program, which provides development coaching and administrative services for emerging and established franchises.
In addition to selling franchises, FastLane offers territory checks, sales and operations support, and leadership coaching, including its proprietary MasterMind courses. Franchise FastLane tackles the toughest of brand growth challenges by taking charge of lead generation, consultant management and franchise sales. With FastLane handling those tasks, franchisors can focus on their core business and nurture their franchisees’ success.
To Learn More
For additional information about franchise opportunities with Cascadia Pizza Co., visit its website. Visit Franchise FastLane’s website to check out its services.
