Pizza Ranch

Pizza Ranch Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Buffet-style pizza restaurant franchise featuring a selection of pizzas, fried chicken, salads, and desserts, creating a family-friendly and all-you-can-eat dining experience.

Pizza Ranch is a popular fast-casual dining chain predominantly found in the Midwest region of the United States. Founded in 1981 by Adrie Groeneweg and Lawrence Vander Esch, the chain originated in Hull, Iowa, with Groeneweg showcasing pizza recipes crafted by his mother, Lorraine.

Pizza Ranch offers a diverse menu featuring pizza, chicken, fresh salads, Buffalo wings, and delectable desserts. One of its standout features is the buffet-style dining experience, which has become a favorite among patrons.

In addition to dine-in options, Pizza Ranch provides carry-out and delivery services, catering to a wide range of customer preferences.

The franchise journey began in 1984 under the name Pizza Ranch Inc., eventually relocating its headquarters to Orange City, Iowa. Over the years, Pizza Ranch has become known for its commitment to community involvement and charitable initiatives, often supporting local events and fundraising efforts.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Pizza Ranch offers 2 types of franchises:

Type of Pizza Ranch Franchise Initial Investment
Pizza Ranch® (if you lease or remodel your Restaurant) $2,101,500 to $2,962,000
Pizza Ranch® (if you build a new Restaurant) $3,151,500 to $4,909,500

We are summarizing below the main costs associated with opening a new Pizza Ranch franchised restaurant. For more information on costs required to start a Pizza Ranch franchise, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).

Type of Expenditure Amount
Franchise Fee $30,000 to $30,000
Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment $493,000 to $700,000
Arcade Games $378,000 to $550,000
Construction Costs $2,000,000 to $2,400,000
Architect/Engineering Fees $110,000 to $130,000
Land $0 to $800,000
Pre-Opening Training Expenses $80,000 to $137,000
Food Used During Team Member Training $7,000 to $9,000
Start-Up Costs $23,500 to $43,500
Interest on Pre-Opening Loans $10,000 to $90,000
Working Capital (3 months) $20,000 to $20,000
Total Initial Investment (with a FunZone) $3,151,500 to $4,909,500

Franchise Disclosure Document

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Competitors

Below are some of

Pizza Ranch

key competitors in the

Pizza

sector.

Started franchising
Franchisees

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Franchise fee

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Royalty fee

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Investment

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Revenue (AUV)

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Gross Profit

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EBITDA

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Home-based

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Passive investment

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FDD
Pizza Ranch
1984
212
+
3%
3%
$30,000
4.00%

$2,102,000

-

$4,910,000

n.a.

$2,063,000

Upgrade

72.2%

n.a.

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14.1%

n.a.

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No
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No
Yes
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Yes
2018
73
+
66%
66%
$30,000
4.50%

$290,000

-

$551,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

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n.a.

n.a.

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Upgrade
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2013
5
+
25%
25%
$15,000
6.00%

$255,000

-

$734,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
Upgrade
Upgrade
2022
3
+
50%
50%
$30,000
5.00%

$406,000

-

$1,148,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$2,223,000

77.3%

n.a.

Upgrade

15.2%

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
No
Upgrade
No
1990
60
+
-2%
-2%
$20,000
5.00%

$214,000

-

$690,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$676,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes
1987
161
+
-2%
-2%
$50,000
5.00%

$1,688,000

-

$4,832,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$0

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

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Upgrade
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1998
37
+
3%
3%
$35,000
6.00%

$439,000

-

$1,501,000

Upgrade

n.a.

$874,000

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade

n.a.

n.a.

Upgrade
No
Upgrade
No
Yes
Upgrade
Yes

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Total investment

?

Revenue (AUV)

?

Revenue growth (last 3 years)

?

Profit margin

?

Franchise Disclosure Documents
Advanced filtering and sorting
Watchlist

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Priority support

?

A comprehensive and transparent look at franchising finances. The inclusion of profit margins and disclosure documents offers insights you can’t find elsewhere. Essential for anyone considering a franchise investment.

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Training 

Prospective Pizza Ranch franchisees participate in an extensive training program before launching their restaurant. This comprehensive training covers all facets of restaurant management, from operational procedures to utilizing essential equipment and computer systems.

Key personnel, including the Principal or General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Kitchen Managers, and Guest Services Manager, must complete the Manager in Training Program.

This training is conducted at a Certified Training Restaurant or another location specified by Pizza Ranch. The curriculum includes topics such as Advertising/Marketing, Accounting/Profitability, Restaurant Operations, Restaurant Management, Guest Relations, and essential soft skills like Culture and Leadership.

Territory Protection

Pizza Ranch® franchisees do not receive exclusive territorial rights. Instead, they are assigned a specific location to operate their Pizza Ranch® restaurant.

This arrangement ensures that while franchisees can run their business at the designated site, there is no protection from the establishment of additional Pizza Ranch® restaurants or outlets nearby.

The franchisees' operational rights are confined to their designated location. Any plans to move or expand beyond this location require prior written approval from the franchisor. This framework highlights the necessity of adhering to the assigned location and recognizing the absence of broader territorial exclusivity.

Number of units

2025
Franchised units

205

212

212

Company-owned units

6

6

6

Total units

211

218

218

Competitors

Pizza Twist

Franchisees

?

73
+
66%
66%
Investment

?

$290,000 - $551,000

Paulie Gee's

Franchisees

?

5
+
25%
25%
Investment

?

$255,000 - $734,000

Slice House by Tony Gemignani

Franchisees

?

3
+
50%
50%
Investment

?

$406,000 - $1,148,000

East of Chicago Pizza

Franchisees

?

60
+
-2%
-2%
Investment

?

$214,000 - $690,000

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?

Profit metrics

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