In a move that will better position both companies for
expansion, two metro-Detroit based fast food franchises have
joined forces. Papa Romano's Pizza, headquartered in
Commerce Township, Mich., has merged its operations with Mr.
Pita restaurants, a 35-unit Sterling Heights, Mich.-based
chain. Casey Askar, chairman and chief executive officer of
Papa Romano's, has assumed the role of chairman and CEO of
Mr. Pita. Frank Lombardo, president and founder of Mr. Pita,
has been named president of Papa Romano's while continuing
to serve as president of Mr. Pita, overseeing day-to-day
operations of both chains.
A veteran of the pizza industry, Askar quietly purchased the
50-plus store Papa Romano's chain from former owner and
founder Ronald Hancock in February this year. Since
acquiring the chain, he has renovated and updated the
stores, opened three new locations, including a new
prototype in Ann Arbor, Mich., and purchased seven formerly
franchised Papa Romano's locations that now operate as
company-owned stores. He also relocated the company's
corporate headquarters from Farmington Hills, Mich. to
Commerce Township.
"The partnership with Mr. Pita was a logical next step for
us," said Askar. "We believe it presents tremendous
opportunity for both brands going forward and postures us
for national expansion," said Askar. "We're excited and very
optimistic about the potential."
Added Lombardo, "Mr. Pita had long been contemplating a
partnership and has found in Papa Romano's a partner that
provides just the right fit. We are two strong,
locally-originated businesses, and we expect to build on
each other's strengths, as well as benefit from cost savings
and economies of scale that come from combining our
purchasing, advertising, corporate staffing and other
internal operations."
Lombardo also noted that the partnership offered ample
opportunity for co-branded venues. "Mr. Pita is a highly co-brandable
chain that works well with other brands. We anticipate
aggressive expansion of the Mr. Pita and Papa Romano's
brands, both individually and in co-branded format," said
Lombardo. "As a co-brand, our concept offers a rare
opportunity for franchisees to be able to combine two
complementary brands under one roof with the benefit of
shared overhead. That's very unusual in this marketplace."
