Mr Gatti’s Pizza targets Houston with franchise-led expansion plan after shift to fully franchised system

Expansion plan focuses on large-format family entertainment venues

Mr Gatti’s Pizza, a Texas-based pizza and family entertainment chain, has launched a targeted expansion effort in the Houston region as it seeks new franchise operators for large, family-oriented locations that combine dining with arcade-style attractions and party space.

The company’s stated model for Houston centers on Family Entertainment Center formats typically designed for sizable footprints, positioning the concept as both a restaurant and a destination venue. The chain has described Houston as a priority market because of its economic scale, customer base, and the availability of commercial real estate suitable for bigger-box builds.

Ownership and operating structure have shifted toward franchising

The Houston push follows a recent strategic shift in the company’s operating model toward a fully franchised system. In late 2025, a Dallas-based investment group, OneRyan Global, acquired a corporate-owned Mr Gatti’s location in Texas as part of a transition designed to move the brand away from corporate restaurant operations and toward franchise ownership across the network.

Separately, the company has continued to promote growth across Texas and the Southeastern U.S., describing a pipeline of active and forthcoming locations beyond its legacy markets.

What franchise requirements indicate about the intended operators

Mr Gatti’s has outlined financial thresholds and cost ranges for prospective franchisees pursuing the Family Entertainment Center format. The company’s disclosed investment range runs from about $2.0 million to $3.6 million, including a $50,000 franchise fee. It has also stated that ideal candidates meet minimum net worth and liquidity standards and has emphasized interest in experienced multi-unit operators.

Those requirements point to a growth plan built around well-capitalized franchise groups rather than single-location owner-operators, a structure commonly used by restaurant brands seeking faster multi-site development within a major metro area.

Houston’s pizza market continues to attract out-of-town chains

The announcement comes amid continued competition in Houston’s restaurant landscape, where multiple pizza brands—regional and national—have recently identified the metro area as a growth priority. Recent expansion moves by other chains have included commitments to open dozens of locations across Houston and surrounding suburbs, underscoring the city’s role as a key battleground for pizza operators seeking scale in Texas.

Key points at a glance

• Mr Gatti’s has initiated a Houston-focused franchise recruitment effort centered on Family Entertainment Center locations.
• The company has moved toward a fully franchised operating model following ownership and corporate-asset changes disclosed in 2025.
• Disclosed franchise investment ranges and financial criteria suggest a focus on multi-unit development partners.
• Houston remains a high-priority expansion market for several pizza chains, intensifying competition for sites and customers.

Mr Gatti’s dates its origins to a Texas start-up in the 1960s and has built its current brand around pizza, buffet offerings, and family entertainment components under one roof.

No timeline or specific neighborhood targets for new Houston-area openings were provided with the expansion announcement. The company’s near-term progress will depend on securing franchise agreements, identifying suitable large-format sites, and completing buildouts that can accommodate both dining and entertainment operations.