Has the Antioch Pizza Shop franchisor ever operated an Antioch Pizza Shop?
Antioch_Pizza_Shop Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We began offering Antioch Pizza Shop franchises in 2016. We have never operated Antioch Pizza Shops or offered franchises in any other line of business. However, our owners have ownership in the following affiliate companies that operate or have operated Antioch Pizza Shops: Wix Pizza, Inc. since April 2008, Clicking Left, Inc. since March 2017, K&L Pizza LLC from March 2020 to January 2024, and CL Two, Inc. from January 2021 to March 2024. The original Antioch Pizza Shop has been in operation since 1977. Our affiliate Wix Pizza, Inc. purchased the assets of the business in 2008.
In 2024, we granted a license to The After Midnight Group LLC that operates and licenses Cowboy Jack's restaurants that permits the Cowboy Jack's restaurants to offer and sell Antioch Pizza Shop branded pizzas in their existing restaurants.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–11)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Antioch Pizza Shop Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchisor, Wix Franchise, Inc., has not directly operated an Antioch Pizza Shop. The FDD states that Wix Franchise, Inc. began offering franchises in 2016 and has not operated Antioch Pizza Shops or offered franchises in any other line of business. This means that the franchisor's experience comes from a franchising perspective rather than direct hands-on operation of a restaurant.
However, the owners of Wix Franchise, Inc. do have experience operating Antioch Pizza Shops through affiliated companies. Specifically, the FDD mentions that the owners have ownership in Wix Pizza, Inc. (since April 2008), Clicking Left, Inc. (since March 2017), K&L Pizza LLC (from March 2020 to January 2024), and CL Two, Inc. (from January 2021 to March 2024). These affiliated companies have operated Antioch Pizza Shops, providing the owners with practical experience in the pizza business. The original Antioch Pizza Shop has been in operation since 1977, and Wix Pizza, Inc. purchased the assets of the business in 2008.
This distinction is important for potential franchisees because while the franchisor entity itself doesn't have operational experience, the individuals behind it do. Franchisees may want to inquire about the level of involvement the owners have in the franchisor's operations and how their experience translates into support and guidance for franchisees. It's also worth noting that in 2024, Antioch Pizza Shop granted a license to The After Midnight Group LLC, allowing Cowboy Jack's restaurants to sell Antioch Pizza Shop branded pizzas, indicating another avenue through which the brand is being expanded.