BUSINESS MATTERS

Pizza franchisee's 'overnight' success here after 20 years

Agreeing to open eight franchise locations of a restaurant over the next four years might seem like a daunting task to some.

Rob Byford figures it might be the easiest thing he's done in the restaurant business, so far.

Before we dive into Byford's plans as the Pie Five franchisee for Arkansas, let's consider his history.

Byford has been working in and around restaurants in one form or another for the past 20 years and opened the very first Slim Chickens franchise location in 2013. Over the 10 months that followed the opening of that Little Rock restaurant, he added another in Little Rock and one more in Hot Springs.

Those openings came as Slim Chickens was developing its franchise model and working to expand its brand outside Northwest Arkansas. Byford also has spent time in the kitchen, working a fryer and any other taxing (or dirty) job you can imagine.

Those situations seem far more challenging to Byford than his current undertaking.

"Opening the first franchise, developing a brand, that's the hard part," Byford said. "Once the brand is established, that's the easy stuff. I've been paid $7 an hour to cook. I've been a franchisee of a new brand. It's taken some time, but what's transpired the last three years is closer to where I want to be."

Byford agreed earlier this year to be the exclusive Pie Five franchisee for the state (outside of a few counties near the southwest corner of Arkansas). As rights holder for what the chain refers to as a "defined market area," he's on the hook for what amounts to a two-store-per-year pace between now and 2019.

Pie Five, part of publicly traded parent company Rave Restaurant Group (formerly known as Pizza Inn Holdings), launched in Dallas in June 2011. By the end of June there will be between 50 and 60 locations.

Expansion plans for the Dallas-based chain are aggressive with plans to open 350-400 locations. By the end of the calendar year there will be 100 largely situated in suburbs of major metro areas like Chicago, St. Louis and Omaha, Neb.

Central Arkansas is up first for Pie Five in Arkansas. Byford will start with opening in Benton and likely two locations in Little Rock this year. Pie Five will be in Northwest Arkansas -- likely multiple locations -- by the middle of 2016. Then the attention will turn to Conway and northeast Arkansas.

Byford declined to get specific on the price of a development deal, but noted that "it's a seven-figure investment. It's significant."

"It's not hypothetical," Byford added. "The agreement is signed. There will be multiple stores over the next few years."

When Byford describes the process of making the pizza, it brings to mind a fast-casual sandwich or burrito place. Ingredients are laid out for the customer to pick -- multiple crust and sauce options, plus the meat, cheese and vegetable decisions -- and then after about 2 1/2 minutes in a "really hot" oven, the pizza is ready.

You read that correctly. A pie, as the name suggests, in five minutes or less.

Unlike the pizzas he'll be selling, Byford's journey has taken some time. The 35-year-old has been in the restaurant business since he was attending Marion High School, including 12 years in various capacities with Slim Chickens. A lot of that time in the business, though, was spent in kitchens and standing over fryers.

Now he's getting the opportunity to own and operate restaurants. Byford compares the process to a musician who might toil away for years behind the scenes before becoming an "overnight success." JBI Holdings, which is Byford and business partner Michael Jett, currently owns three Slims franchises.

With plenty of experience selling chicken, pizza seemed like the way to go next.

"Fast-casual pizza is a late bloomer, primarily due to technology," Byford said. "It's following the better taco, better sandwich and better burger movement."

Speaking of the "better burger" movement...

Colorado chain Smashurger opens its first Arkansas location at 500 S.E. Walton Blvd. in Bentonville on May 27.

Tulsa has a Smashburger, which led a friend to drive over and research. "Like Five Guys, but less greasy and a nicer interior," was the report back. Salads and chicken are also on the menu if you'd like to trick yourself into thinking you're eating healthy.

Smashburger was founded in Colorado in 2007 and now has 315 locations in seven countries. It's owned by Consumer Capital Partners.

Apparently the chain's name comes from the fact that the burger patty is "smashed" as part of the preparation process.

Bentonville's 2,113 square-foot location will incorporate Razorback-themed elements onto the menu. No word on the specific local brewer(s), but we should also expect local craft beer on tap.

SundayMonday Business on 05/17/2015

Upcoming Events