Fort Worth, Texas — Mr Gatti’s Pizza, a fast-growing pizza and family entertainment brand, has said that entrepreneur and longtime franchisee G. Brint Ryan has acquired the remaining ownership interest in the company, becoming the primary owner of the Mr Gatti’s brand. The announcement also marks the beginning of CEO Jim Phillips’ planned retirement following more than a decade leading the company.
Ryan first became a co-owner of Mr Gatti’s in December 2025. With the completion of this transaction, he assumes primary ownership of the franchisor and will oversee the company’s continued expansion. Phillips will remain CEO through the transition period, with a new chief executive officer to be announced at a later date.
“Leading Mr Gatti’s over the past 11 years has been one of the great privileges of my career,” says Phillips. “Together with our franchisees and leadership team, we’ve strengthened every part of this business, from operations and financial performance to brand consistency and franchisee support. Most importantly, we’ve built a culture centered on partnership and long term success. I could not be more confident in Brint’s leadership or more excited about the future of this incredible brand.”
Since acquiring Mr Gatti’s in 2015, Phillips has led a significant turnaround and period of sustained growth for the 60-year-old brand. During his tenure, the company increased its restaurant footprint by 50%, expanded from three states to 12, nearly doubled systemwide revenue over the past 5 years and strengthened the company’s financial performance while navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and broader economic uncertainty.
Under Phillips’ leadership, Mr Gatti’s also modernized its franchise system by standardizing franchise agreements, strengthening franchisee support, rebuilding the marketing fund to benefit the entire system, introducing proprietary retail products and reviving the brand’s original recipes and food-first philosophy. The company also restored annual franchise conventions, refined its branding and store formats and fostered stronger collaboration across the franchise system.
“Jim has led one of the most impressive transformations in our brand’s history,” says Ryan. “His leadership established a strong financial foundation, built an outstanding executive team and created a culture that puts franchisees first.”
Ryan, founder and chairman of Dallas-based Ryan, LLC, has been a Mr Gatti’s franchisee for years before investing in the franchisor. Since becoming co-owner, he has worked alongside Phillips to strengthen the company’s financial position and position the brand for its next phase of growth.
Mr Gatti’s has more than 200 locations open or in development across Texas and the southeastern U.S. Originally launched as The Pizza Place in Stephenville, Texas, in 1964, the brand underwent a transformation when it relocated to Austin, Texas, in 1969, adopting the name “Gatti” in homage to the maiden name of founder James Eure’s wife. For more information, visit www.mrgattispizza.com and https://gattispizzafranchise.com.
SOURCE: Mr Gatti’s Pizza