Your Pie Looks for Growth in Wilmington, North Carolina

Your Pie, the Ischia-inspired pizza brand known for its customizable brick-oven pizzas and open-kitchen dining experience, is setting its sights on continued growth in North Carolina, with Wilmington identified as a key target market.

With existing locations in Lumberton and Wilmington, Your Pie is looking to build on its current North Carolina presence by expanding further in the Cape Fear region. The International Franchise Association named North Carolina as one of the top 10 fastest-growing states for franchising in 2026, while Wilmington’s growing appeal among new residents, remote workers, retirees and UNC Wilmington students continues to strengthen demand for accessible, neighborhood-driven dining concepts.

“Wilmington is exactly the kind of market where Your Pie can make a meaningful local impact,” said Ken Caldwell, CEO & Head of Development of Your Pie. “The community has a great mix of year-round residents, visitors, college students and families, and at the heart of our brand is building genuine connections with the people we serve. North Carolina has already proven to be a strong fit for Your Pie, and we see Wilmington as an opportunity to continue creating a fresh, approachable dining experience that feels rooted in community.”

The brand recently introduced a redesigned restaurant model built to support stronger unit-level efficiency and long-term scalability for franchise owners. The updated prototype features a smaller, more flexible footprint of roughly 2,000‑square‑foot footprint, streamlined kitchen operations, an improved ordering experience and expanded online ordering capabilities. Your Pie has also broadened its catering platform and continued investing in flexible growth formats, including non‑traditional campus locations, new company‑owned restaurants and updated operating formats designed to meet guests wherever they are dining.

Today, the menu extends beyond pizza to include oven-baked pastas, fresh salads, oven-fired wings and handcrafted sandwiches, alongside Italian-style gelato and a curated selection of craft beer and wine. Customer feedback continues to shape the menu, inspiring seasonal and chef-driven offerings like the Cubano Craft series and the award-winning Peach Prosciutto Pie. The brand also drives engagement through annual systemwide promotions and events, including its Pi(e) Day celebration each March 14.

“Wilmington has the kind of energy that aligns naturally with Your Pie: relaxed, social, family-friendly and rooted in local connection,” said Lisa Dimson, CMO of Your Pie. “Whether guests are grabbing dinner after a day at the beach, meeting friends near campus or looking for an easy meal with the family, Your Pie offers the flexibility and hospitality that fits into everyday life.”

The idea for Your Pie began during founders Drew & Natalie French’s honeymoon on the Italian island of Ischia, where the couple was inspired by the island’s vibrant food culture and wood-fired pizza. They brought that inspiration back to the U.S., opening the first Your Pie in Athens, Georgia in 2008 with a fast-casual concept centered on customizable brick-oven pizzas made with hand-tossed dough and fresh ingredients.

As Your Pie enters its next phase of growth, the brand is focused on growing in markets where its flexible dining experience, neighborhood-driven hospitality and operator-friendly model can support long-term success. With Wilmington’s continued growth and demand for accessible, high-quality dining options, Your Pie is seeking qualified franchise partners who understand the local market and want to bring the brand’s signature brick-oven experience to more guests across the Cape Fear region.