Differences Between Local Pizza Shops, Chains and Franchises

According to “The 2019 Pizza Power Report,” there are nearly 77,000 pizzerias operating in the United States. With so many pizza joints in the U.S., there’s little wonder why the American pizza market generated more than $45.7 billion in 2018 alone.

Depending on your location, you may have plenty of pizza places to choose from whenever you’re in the mood for a slice. Before you can pick the individual restaurant you’ll visit to satisfy your craving for pizza, you have to make one overarching decision. And that’s whether you’re going to order from an independent pizzeria or a chain restaurant.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A CHAIN & INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT

While both local and chain shops serve pizza, they’re very different business entities. Also known as "independents," local pizzerias are typically owned by an entrepreneur who struck out on their own. Independent restaurants may have one or even a handful of shops and they usually have a strong local following. In contrast, chains establish a regional, national or global presence by opening tens, hundreds or thousands of eateries over a broader area.

Local pizzerias are often run by individuals, families or small groups, while corporations are typically at the helm of chain restaurants. Whereas one person or group may own a local pizza joint, chains often include both corporate-owned and franchised restaurants. In general, a franchisee has the option to open multiple restaurants under the same chain’s brand if they follow the chain’s prescribed operational guidelines and have the available funds.

Whether you want to open a chain restaurant or a local pizza shop in Lewes, DE, or another location, setting up shop will require a sizeable investment. Even so, you can open an independent restaurant without having a set amount in your bank account by acquiring loans. To open a franchise, you normally have to have a predetermined amount of money available in reserve or you must have a minimum net worth.

The owners of "mom and pop" or local pizzerias get to reap the rewards of their efforts without having to share their profits. Chain restaurants often require franchisees to pay a portion of their annual revenue for the right to operate under their respective brand names.

Local pizzerias are free to operate however they choose within the confines of the law and area regulations. As an independent, you can create new menu items, change recipes, go with or without uniforms and set your own hours of operation. If you run a franchised restaurant, your franchisor will determine how you’ll need to run your pizzeria so that your restaurant is standardized with the brand’s other locations.

BENEFITS OF CHOOSING A LOCAL PIZZA STORES

While mom and pop shops and chain pizzerias clearly differ from one another in both setup and operation, they also differ from the customer’s point of view. The goal of a chain is to ensure consistency across its lineup of branded pizzerias. Some consumers take comfort in knowing they’ll get food that’s made and tastes the same no matter where in the world they visit a shop operating under a given brand name.

However, that very standardization and the way franchises generally operate prevent consumers from enjoying some of the benefits available when they frequent a local pizza shop. Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy as a customer at a typical independent pizzeria:

Money stays in the local economy:

With franchisees normally having to pay annual fees to the brand they represent, you have no way of knowing where the brand will reinvest your hard-earned dollars. Independent operators often live in the same community where their restaurant is located, making it more likely that your money will make its way back into the local economy.

Customization:

Every franchise operating under the same brand prepares and offers the same food across locations, meaning you can’t order something specially made or that’s not on the menu. If you visit a local pizza shop, you may be able to order a custom dish because the pizzeria’s owner will not have a contractual obligation to follow strict recipes.

Reduced carbon footprint:

When a pizza restaurant in Rehoboth Beach or another location buys ingredients locally, you can reduce the size of your carbon footprint by eating there instead of a chain. That’s because it will take less fuel and other resources to transport ingredients to the independent restaurant.

Locally sourced ingredients:

Consistency is the key to a chain’s success, which is why many franchisors require their operators to order supplies and ingredients from the same regional warehouses that might be hundreds of miles away. Owners of independent pizzerias can purchase their ingredients from anywhere, including local farmers' markets.

Increased fundraising opportunities:

Franchisees usually have to get permission before they can participate in a fundraising activity to ensure the event is in keeping with their franchisor’s values. Independent operators don’t need permission to give back to their community by participating in fundraisers.

Everybody knows your name:

Community members often operate mom and pop pizzerias, which means you may know the owners and employees from other activities around town. This familiarity makes frequenting a local pizza shop a more intimate, rewarding experience because you’re investing in a neighbor’s success while enjoying a great meal.

Crust & Craft: THE BEST LOCAL PIZZA SHOP IN REHOBOTH BEACH, DE

If you want to enjoy the benefits that normally accompany being a patron of an independent pizzeria, we invite you to visit our local wood fired pizza shop in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Our fresh ingredients, chef-inspired menu and brick oven pizzas will delight your taste buds and satisfy your tummy. From the moment you step through our doors, our highly trained staff will ensure you have the best dining experience possible every time you visit our convenient location on Coastal Highway.

Once you try our local Rehoboth Beach pizza shop, you’ll instantly understand why our customers eagerly drive past chain restaurants to reach our eatery. Visit Crust & Craft to see why you’ll never again want to eat a standardized pie from a chain when you can get a far superior pizza from our local restaurant.

We look forward to dazzling you and your taste buds soon!