--- title: "Pie Five Pizza Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review" description: "Explore the Pie Five Pizza franchise. Investment: $392K-$585K. 94 locations. Grade: c. Pizza, Pasta & Italian. Read our FDD analysis and fee breakdown." url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/pie-five-pizza" canonical: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/pie-five-pizza" markdown_url: "https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/pie-five-pizza.md" type: "FranchiseBrand" brand: "Pie Five Pizza" sector: "Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants" category: "Pizza, Pasta & Italian" investment_low: "392500" investment_high: "585417" total_units: "58" grade: "C" operating_model: "Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee" --- # Pie Five Pizza Franchise: Cost, FDD Analysis & Review Explore the Pie Five Pizza franchise. Investment: $392K-$585K. 94 locations. Grade: c. Pizza, Pasta & Italian. Read our FDD analysis and fee breakdown. ## At a glance - **Brand:** Pie Five Pizza - **Sector:** Fast Food & Fast Casual Restaurants - **Category:** Pizza, Pasta & Italian - **Total initial investment:** $392,500 – $585,417 - **Total units (FDD Item 20):** 58 - **FranchiseGrade grade:** C - **Operating model:** Owner-Operator | Multi-Unit | Semi-Absentee - **States with locations:** AL, AR, CA, DE, FL, GA, IL, IA, KS, KY, MD, MS, MO, OK, TN, TX ## Pie Five Pizza — franchise facts ### What is the total initial investment required to open a Pie Five Pizza franchise? Total franchise investment ranges from $392,500 to $585,417, covering real estate, equipment, initial inventory, and working capital. This range reflects single-unit buildouts in various markets; actual costs vary by location, landlord terms, and equipment choices. Prospective franchisees should conduct thorough financial projections specific to their intended territory. ### What is the initial franchise fee for Pie Five Pizza, and what does it cover? The franchise fee is $30,000 to $40,000, which covers training, initial support, brand access, and proprietary systems. This one-time fee grants the right to operate under the brand for the initial 10-year term and includes access to the franchisor's operational playbook and supplier relationships. ### What ongoing fees, royalties, or required contributions do Pie Five Pizza franchisees pay? Franchisees pay a 6% royalty on gross sales, a 2% advertising fund contribution, and a $500 monthly technology fee. These ongoing costs support brand marketing, system improvements, technology infrastructure, and franchisor support services throughout the franchise relationship. ### What financial requirements must candidates meet to qualify for a Pie Five Pizza franchise? Franchisees need liquid capital of approximately $150,000 to $250,000 after accounting for the total investment and working capital reserves. Net worth of at least $500,000 to $750,000 is typically expected to demonstrate financial stability and ability to sustain operations during ramp-up periods. ### Are financing options or third-party funding programs available for Pie Five Pizza franchisees? Many franchisees explore SBA loan programs, traditional bank financing, and franchisor-approved lending partners to cover a portion of the investment. The franchisor can recommend financing sources; however, prospective owners should consult with their accountant and business advisor to determine the optimal capital structure for their situation. ### What initial training does Pie Five Pizza provide to new franchise owners? Pie Five provides 150 hours of training: 15 hours in a classroom setting covering systems, menu, and compliance, plus 135 hours of on-the-job training at an established location or the franchisee's unit. Training covers all aspects of operations, food preparation, staff management, and customer service to ensure franchisees are ready for launch. ### What ongoing support and resources does Pie Five Pizza offer after opening? The franchisor offers continuous support through an assigned franchise consultant, regular operations audits, menu innovation updates, and access to peer networks. Annual conferences, technology updates, and digital resources keep franchisees informed on best practices, marketing campaigns, and system enhancements. ### Does Pie Five Pizza assist with real estate and site selection for new locations? Pie Five works with franchisees on site selection best practices, but the franchisee is responsible for securing the location and negotiating lease terms. The franchisor provides guidelines on foot traffic, visibility, demographics, and co-tenancy considerations to maximize unit success. ### What does the day-to-day role of a franchise owner look like with Pie Five Pizza? Owner-operators typically manage staffing, inventory, quality control, and customer service while working in the unit 40+ hours weekly during the launch phase. As operations stabilize, franchisees may reduce on-site hours; however, active involvement in the early years is critical to establishing procedures, training staff, and building local customer loyalty. ### Can Pie Five Pizza be operated as an owner-operator or semi-absentee franchise? Pie Five is best suited for owner-operators, especially in the first 1-2 years, to establish systems, train staff, and build community presence. While semi-absentee models are possible with a strong general manager, hands-on involvement is recommended initially; multi-unit operators often establish this structure after the first location matures. ### What type of lifestyle and time commitment should owners expect with Pie Five Pizza? This franchise requires significant initial time commitment but can transition toward a more balanced lifestyle once operations are established and a strong management team is in place. The fast-casual format operates lunch and dinner service, demanding attention to peak hours; however, the operational efficiency model does not require 24/7 presence like some food service concepts. ### What territories or markets are currently available for Pie Five Pizza franchise ownership? Pie Five operates in 16 states including California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and others. Territory availability depends on current franchisee density and franchisor expansion plans; prospective owners should inquire about specific markets and any territory protections offered. ### Does Pie Five Pizza offer multi-unit ownership or expansion opportunities? The franchisor supports multi-unit franchisees and area developers interested in building clusters of locations within a defined territory. Operators with strong performance, adequate capital, and management depth are encouraged to expand, with potential for area development agreements that outline growth timelines and unit commitments. ### Are area development or master franchise opportunities available with Pie Five Pizza? Area development agreements are available for qualified franchisees committing to a schedule of unit openings within a protected territory. These agreements provide exclusivity and support for scaling the brand across a region; terms and unit requirements vary based on market characteristics and franchisee qualifications. ### How does Pie Five Pizza approach unit-level profitability and financial performance? Unit-level profitability depends on sales volume, labor efficiency, and cost management; most operators see positive cash flow within 12-24 months of opening. The 6% royalty and 2% ad fund are relatively competitive for the fast-casual segment; gross margins on food are typically 65-70%, with net margins ranging from 8-15% for well-operated units. ### What sets Pie Five Pizza apart from competitors in its market segment? Pie Five differentiates through its fresh-made, customizable product, efficient assembly-line service model, and multi-daypart appeal. Unlike traditional pizza concepts focused on delivery, Pie Five emphasizes dine-in and takeout convenience with premium quality, competing directly with other fast-casual platforms while maintaining lower labor costs than full-service restaurants. ## Research this brand - Full profile: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/pie-five-pizza - Compare it side by side: https://www.franchisegrade.com/compare - Check affordability against your capital: https://www.franchisegrade.com/affordability-calculator - Franchise terms used above: https://www.franchisegrade.com/tools/franchise-glossary --- *Source: [FranchiseGrade](https://www.franchisegrade.com) — independent, FDD-derived franchise research.* *Cite this page as: https://www.franchisegrade.com/best-franchises/brand/pie-five-pizza* *Training, indexing and quotation are permitted — please attribute and link to the source URL above. Full-text reproduction of the whole page is not. Licensing: privacy@franchisegrade.com*