Mountain Mike’s Pizza Signs Multi-Unit Deal To Enter Idaho

The acclaimed pizza brand has announced a multi-store deal with Gem State Pies, Inc. - owned by prominent multi-brand operators and entrepreneurs Boris and Laurie Ilic along with Travis and Alyssa Trask. The group will proudly add Mountain Mike’s Pizza to its franchise portfolio that includes a dozen Jersey Mike’s Subs across multiple states.

Gem State Pies’ agreement with Mountain Mike’s Pizza paves the way for the beloved family- and community-focused pizza chain to dot Idaho’s Treasure Valley with five locations, starting with a Meridian restaurant expected to open in early 2022. A second Mountain Mike’s will follow in Downtown Boise mid-year. Gem State Pies expects to have four of its five stores open before the end of 2022.

“It truly is a privilege to bring Mountain Mike’s and their sensational pizza to Idaho for the first time, and we could not be more excited for the opportunity to complement the growing Treasure Valley with a family-friendly restaurant,” said longtime Idaho resident Boris Ilic for Gem State Pies. “As we looked at expanding our portfolio, Mountain Mike’s Pizza stood out from the rest, especially given our desire to take a proven recipe for success and replicate it.”

With several multi-unit development deals already in motion, the brand recently announced plans to develop in Colorado, Arizona and Texas.

“We are climbing the mountain alongside experienced and family-minded business leaders like the team at Gem State Pies, whose considerable commitment and vision allow us to deliver our brand and our signature experience of enjoying ‘Pizza The Way it Oughta Be’ to Idahoans throughout the state,” said Jim Metevier, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mountain Mike’s Pizza.

Mountain Mike’s has earned impressive recognition and high rankings across a variety of industry reports, including Franchise Times, Nation’s Restaurant News, Entrepreneur, Fast Casual, QSR Magazine, and Restaurant Business, among many others. The brand has been named an emerging leader in the pizza space and one of the hottest franchise categories of 2021.