zpizza
 | |
 ZBQ barbecue chicken pizza from zpizza | |
| Industry | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 |
| Headquarters | Irvine, California |
Key people | Sid Fanarof (Founder), Ron Osmena (CEO) |
| Products | Pizza |
| Website | www |
zpizza (originally called z pizza and commonly known as z) is a pizza franchise based in Newport Beach, California.[1]
zpizza has locations in California, Arizona, Vietnam and soon the Philippines, they plan to increase locations in 2024-2025. The menu includes artisan pizza with fresh high quality locally sourced ingredients, salads, and sandwiches. zpizza's customers have the option of creating their own pizza from the provided "crusts, sauces, cheeses and toppings" on their menu, including gluten free and vegan options.[2]
History
[edit]zpizza was founded in Laguna Beach, California, in 1986 by Sid Fanarof. It was owned by Fanarof, Chris Bright, and Dan Rowe, the founders of Fransmart.[2] In 2022 zpizza was purchased by zpizza USA by its now CEO Ron Osmena and since then many new stores have opened in the country with the majority of them in Orange County, Riverside County, the Bay Area (Northern California), Los Angeles Counties, the Phoenix metro, and South East Asia. zpizza started to franchise in 2000.[3]
During the restaurant's inception in Laguna Beach, Fanarof and Suzi Megroz, his business partner, called it "the pizza place". Raised in France, Suzi pronounced the name with an accent, "zee pizza place".[4][5] They had not yet chosen an official name for the restaurant, and Suzi's pronunciation inspired them to call it z pizza. As the business matured, the company omitted the space, officially naming it "zpizza" and occasionally calling it "z".[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Zpizza expanding to Tucson market". Pizza Marketplace. NetWorld Alliance LLC. 2006-07-20. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
- ^ a b De Marco, Donna (2004-02-16). "Z Pizza plans to expand to D.C." Washington Times. Archived from the original on 2024-05-25. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
- ^ "zpizza coming to Memphis in June, as many as five restaurants planned". Memphis Business Journal. 2006-04-07. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
- ^ Gatewood, J. V. (February 2011). "Zpizza plans Brea opening". OC Menus. Archived from the original on 2011-04-19. Retrieved 2011-04-19.
- ^ "Zpizza Eyes Larger Slice Of Segment With Franchising Deals" (press release). TheFranchiseMall.com. 2006-02-08. Archived from the original on 2010-02-14. Retrieved 2012-05-11.
Fanarof's original partner French native Suzie Megroz, determined the concept's name, pronouncing the American word, "the" like the letter Z, Bright explained.
- ^ "frequently asked questions: Where did the name "zpizza" come from?". zpizza. 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-04-19.