Stoner’s Pizza Joint Plants Seeds For Growth Near College Campuses

Sometimes an expansion strategy writes itself. According to an article on Nation’s Restaurant News, Charleston-based Stoner’s Pizza Joint plans to add 100 new locations by 2023, largely in college towns where the brand name appeals to fans of cannabis.

According to the article, Stoner’s Pizza Joint was purchased last year by HospitalityX co-founders Drew Ciccarelli and Nick Bergelt while it was struggling to keep up with its own growth. The pair cleaned up the chain by closing around 10 stores, integrating mobile ordering and opening the first redesigned location in Columbia, South Carolina on January 23, according to the article.

The new Stoner’s Pizza is now poised for growth and plans to target college towns, as one third of the current 15 stores are located within a mile of college campuses, reports the article.

Ciccarelli and Bergelt have also secured a six-unit franchise agreement with DhaMir Group, which has a familial link to one of the biggest franchisee groups in the nation, The Dhanani Group, which owns more than 500 Burger King and 170 Popeyes locations.