East of Chicago Pizza: Crafting Quality and Flavor Beyond the Windy City

East of Chicago Pizza is a Midwestern pizza franchise renowned for its signature pan pizzas and commitment to high-quality ingredients. The brand began in 1982 when founder L. Scott Granneman opened the first location in Greenwich, Ohio, under the name Greenwich Pizza Barn. After a customer praised the food as the “best pizza east of Chicago,” the name was changed to reflect that sentiment.

The company began franchising in 1990 and is currently headquartered in Lima, Ohio. Today, East of Chicago Pizza has grown to include approximately 70 locations, primarily across Ohio, Indiana, and West Virginia.

The franchise offers a menu that features pan, thin, and specialty pizzas, along with subs, wings, salads, and other sides. Known for using fresh, premium ingredients like California tomatoes and a proprietary blend of mozzarella cheese, the brand emphasizes quality in every bite.

What differentiates East of Chicago Pizza from larger chains is its local, community-focused approach paired with strong franchisee support. Franchise owners benefit from comprehensive training, marketing tools, and operational guidance aimed at long-term success.

Training

East of Chicago Pizza provides franchisees with structured training to ensure consistent operations across its locations. The training is primarily focused on preparing the franchisee or their designated Operating Partner to manage the business effectively. Here are the main components of the training program:

1. Initial Training Program
   The designated Operating Partner, who must own at least 10% of the business, is required to complete the franchisor's initial training program. This training is mandatory before the opening of the restaurant.
2. Post-Opening Training Programs
   The franchisor may develop and require attendance in additional post-opening training programs. These are designed to update franchisees on new procedures or standards.
3. Participation in Brand Meetings
   The Operating Partner must make reasonable efforts to attend all in-person and virtual meetings, including regional or national brand conferences. These sessions help maintain alignment with brand goals and practices.

Territory Protection

East of Chicago Pizza provides limited territorial protection to its franchisees. Under the franchise agreement, franchisees are granted a protected territory where the franchisor agrees not to open another company-owned or franchised location offering similar products under the same trademarks.

However, this protection excludes locations established in limited access venues such as shopping centers, stadiums, or airports that primarily serve on-site patrons. While franchisees are protected from direct territorial competition within their defined area, East of Chicago Pizza reserves the right to accept orders and market within any territory through various channels like internet sales or telemarketing.

Franchisees are also restricted from delivering or catering outside their protected area without prior approval. In Multi-Unit Development Agreements, similar territorial guidelines apply, but franchisees risk losing their development area if they fail to meet expansion schedules or are terminated.