12 Best Pizza Franchises to Start in 2025

Are you looking for a list of the best pizza franchises to start from this year?

At Del Taco, we help multi-unit pizza franchisees expand their QSR portfolio by adding a taco franchise to the mix.

In this article, we’ll take a look at twelve of the best pizza franchises to start in no particular order.

Pizza Hut

The story of Pizza Hut began over 60 years ago at a 500-square foot pizza restaurant in Kansas.

Today, they have more than 6,500 restaurants in the U.S. and employ over 150,000 team members.

Pizza Hut is currently looking for new franchisees who are ready to embrace their culture and commitment to quality food.

Domino’s

Since 1960, Domino’s has grown to become one of the most recognized and leading pizza franchise brands in the world.

Did you know more than 95% of Domino’s franchisees in the U.S. started off as part-time pizza makers or delivery drivers?

Much of their success has come from their unique franchise business model, which is an internally based franchise system.

Even today, you must have at least one year of experience as a general manager or supervisor before you can apply to join their internal Franchise Management School.

Little Caesars

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly pizza franchise opportunity, Little Caesars is the place to go.

Little Caesars is famous for their $5 grab-and-go pizzas which are held at a safe temperature until you arrive.

You can find a Little Caesars in more than 28 countries and territories worldwide, including each of the 50 U.S. states.

Papa Murphy’s

Papa Murphy’ is a take-and-bake pizza franchise with more than 1,100 locations in the United States, Canada, and the UAE.

Their pizzas are made-to-order with fresh ingredients for customers to customize then take home and bake in their oven.

They are looking for franchisees who are passionate about making a difference in their community and bringing families together.

Papa John’s

Founded in 1984, Papa John’s has grown significantly since their first pizza was made in a broom closet in Jefferson, Indiana.

This popular pizza franchise is known for their higher-quality ingredients with a focus on takeout and delivery.

Papa John’s has more than 5,500 locations globally and they are looking to grow even more by offering new franchise opportunities.

Marco’s Pizza

Marco’s Pizza offers authentic Italian quality pizza with sauce made from their original recipe and dough made fresh every day.

In 1978, this pizza brand was founded when their first store opened in Oregon, Ohio which is just outside of Toledo.

Today, this fast-growing pizza franchise has expanded with over 1,100 stores across 33 states plus locations in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas.

Hunt Brothers

With experience in the convenience store space since 1991, Hunt Brothers is widely known with c-store and travel plaza owners.

In 1991, four brothers combined their knowledge in the pizza and convenience store industries to found Hunt Brothers Pizza.

Since then, they have grown to more than 9,500 locations across 32 different states by offering the best pizza value in town.

Mellow Mushroom

Mellow Mushroom was born out of the free-spirited culture of the 1970s and they continue to keep that spirit alive today.

They have a high standard for including well-sourced ingredients throughout all of their menu items and continuously explore new flavors and recipes.

Their restaurants offer an escape from the mundane with an explosion of color and art for people seeking more than just a meal.

Blaze Pizza

Blaze Pizza is a counter-serve pizzeria offering crispy, thin-crust pies made with creative toppings and sauces.

Founded in 2011, Blaze Pizza is a leading fast-casual pizza franchise with more than 340 restaurants across 38 states and 6 countries.

Their ideal candidate will have experience owning and operating a restaurant or other QSR franchise brand.

Jet’s Pizza

In 1978, Jet’s Pizza got their start when they opened Jetts Party Shoppe & Pizzeria in Sterling Heights, MI.

Jet’s is famous for their Detroit-style pizzas with quality ingredients, and they also offer fresh salads, breads, and desserts.

Today, they employ more than 12,000 team members with over 400 locations in 20 different states across the country.

Hungry Howie’s

For more than 50 years, Hungry Howie’s has been serving up flavored crust pizzas to customers of all ages.

Their story began when a 1,000 square foot hamburger shop was converted into a successful carry-out and delivery pizzeria in Taylor, Michigan.

Hungry Howie’s now has over 530 stores in 21 states across the US and they are looking to bring on more franchisees.

Sbarro

In 1956, Carmela and Gennaro Sbarro opened the doors to their Italian salumeria in Brooklyn where they made pizza slices for shift workers looking for a quick meal.

Their slices were so popular they opened a second location. Today, they have 630 eateries across 28 different countries.

Sbarro has single and multi-unit territories, and they are seeking energetic franchise developers who have a passion for success.

Check Out These Additional Resources

We hope this list with the best pizza franchises to start from this year helped you narrow down your search.

At Del Taco, our taco franchise is the perfect addition for pizza restaurant owners seeking to diversify their QSR portfolio.

Here are some additional online resources you may like to check out:

• Which Taco Franchise Makes the Most Money?
• 10 Best Taco Franchises in the USA
• Taco Franchise vs Pizza Franchise: Everything You Need to Know

If you have any questions, please contact our franchise sales and support team.