Multi-Unit Cicis® Pizza Owner Greg Costley Celebrated as a Franchisee of the Year

The International Franchise Association (IFA) named Greg Costley, multi-unit owner of Cicis Pizza in Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, as a 2024 Franchisee of the Year. Costley was honored at the 65th IFA Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nominated by their parent company, individuals are selected for their service to their communities, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth and entrepreneurship, and supporting their fellow franchisees.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the IFA alongside an excellent group of franchisees,” said Costley. “Thanks to the support of the dedicated leadership team at Cicis, we can continue to uphold the brand’s commitment to quality, guest satisfaction, and financial growth in the years ahead. I’m excited to see what’s next as other franchisees and I continue to succeed.”

With over 30 years of experience, Costley has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and passion for the brand. Each of the 20 locations he operates demonstrates the core values and standards of Cicis Pizza. In fact, he owns two of the top three stores for overall average unit volume sales, and five of his stores are in the top ten. Costley is also a long-standing active participant of the Franchise Advisory Council and collaborates closely with corporate leadership to share best practices with fellow franchisees.

“Greg embodies the qualities that drive our franchise’s success. He is deeply respected for his leadership and mentorship within our community,” said Jeff Hetsel, President of Cicis Pizza. “From motivating his staff to exceeding guest expectations and developing tactics to help smaller franchisees thrive, Greg Costley is more than deserving of the IFA’s Franchisee of the Year.”

There are approximately 830,000 franchised businesses across the U.S., providing nearly 9 million direct jobs and generating over $896 billion in economic output. According to Oxford Economics, franchising on average provides higher wages and better benefits than non-franchised businesses, as well as greater entrepreneurial opportunities to minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented communities.

Cicis is an iconic, modernized restaurant that pushes the limits of the regular family dining experience. With unlimited opportunities for revenue, multiple restaurant designs and off premise-options, Cicis is constantly evolving with the industry.