TL;DR
Mr Gatti's Pizza has opened a new location in Portland, Texas, owned and operated by local franchisees Jeff and Kristie Gleinig. The location had a record-setting soft opening and offers an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, salad bar, pasta dishes, desserts, and a large arcade.
The Portland location is owned and operated by local franchisees Jeff and Kristie Gleinig, Portland natives who also operate another Mr Gatti’s Pizza location in the Clear Lake area near Houston.
“What drew us to Mr Gatti’s Pizza was the brand’s focus on bringing families together,” said Jeff Gleinig. “We wanted to build a place in Portland where people can enjoy great food, spend time together and create lasting memories, and Mr Gatti’s has always been about that sense of community.”
The new restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet featuring fresh pizzas made with quality ingredients along with a salad bar, pasta dishes and desserts. Guests can also visit a large arcade filled with games and prizes designed for visitors of all ages.
“When we look for franchise partners, we look for people who believe in the same values that have guided Mr Gatti’s for decades,” said Travis Smith, executive vice president of Mr Gatti’s Pizza. “Jeff and Kristie bring that commitment to community, hospitality and family entertainment, and we’re proud to have them representing the brand in Portland.”
Mr Gatti’s Pizza has served guests for nearly six decades. The brand began in 1964 when founder James Eure opened The Pizza Place in Stephenville, Texas. In 1969, the first restaurant under Mr Gatti’s name opened in Austin, Texas and was named after Eure’s wife’s maiden name.
Today Mr Gatti’s continues to attract entrepreneurs seeking a proven, family-focused franchise opportunity.
The Portland restaurant now welcomes guests for dining, arcade play, birthday parties and group events.
In this story
This story was originally published in Franchising.com on March 18, 2026. Burnaze summarizes and links to the original reporting.
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