Newport Beach, Calif. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza, a leading Southern California-based family-style pizza chain, will open two new restaurants featuring the brand’s updated prototype and refreshed guest experience this spring in Costa Mesa and Fountain Valley, Calif. The decision to plant deeper roots in Orange County was spearheaded by Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, co-CEOs and principal owners of Mountain Mike’s Pizza, who acquired the brand in 2017. The opening of these new Orange County locations will bring the brand to nearly 220 units and mark the county’s second and third locations, with one currently operating in Lake Forest.
The much anticipated Costa Mesa location is set to open first this spring, taking over the space formerly occupied by Paris Baguette on 17th Street, a prominent Orange County “foodie” hub bordering Newport Beach. Additionally, Mountain Mike’s new Fountain Valley restaurant is set to open shortly thereafter and will serve as an innovation kitchen for R&D, along with a test and training center to continually share best practices with franchisees systemwide. Along with a refreshed design, guest-facing features include a private party room, a kids’ activity room with arcade games, a bar counter with seating, beer on tap and a selection of wine, a salad and pizza buffet, and big screen TVs throughout. The nearly 3,000-square-foot restaurant will be located in Fountain Valley Square in the same center as Grocery Outlet.
Upon the acquisition, Orange County locals Britt and St. Geme moved the Northern California operations to Newport Beach and began building out the senior leadership team. After experiencing significant growth, in terms of franchisees and system sales, restaurant openings and its expanded executive team, in late 2019 Britt and St. Geme commissioned the development of a new national franchise support center in Newport Beach. The new support center serves as the company’s operational headquarters and the training ground for the executive and franchise support team and new franchisees.
“Mountain Mike’s Pizza is an iconic name in Northern California and although we will continue to grow the brand throughout that region, we are also excited about the potential in Southern California, including our own backyard of Orange County,” says Britt and St. Geme. “In a short time, we have made great strides in reinvigorating this beloved legacy brand, including significant expansion efforts in the Inland Empire, and now our two new restaurants in Orange County will complement and reinforce how far the Mountain Mike’s brand has come.”
Mountain Mike’s new prototype which will be showcased at both the Fountain Valley and Costa Mesa locations. Inspired by the great outdoors, the new store design radiates a modern, active feel that speaks to today’s adventurous spirit.
With over 25 new units projected to open both in and out of California in 2020, Mountain Mike’s is primed to continue expansion throughout the West. For more information, visit www.mountainmikespizza.com/franchising.
Mountain Mike’s Pizza was founded in 1978; today it has more than 200 locations across California, Oregon and Utah. Mountain Mike’s Pizza is the “official pizza” of the San Francisco 49ers. For more information, visit www.mountainmikespizza.com.
SOURCE: Mountain Mike’s Pizza