Crust Pizza Co. Delivers Multiple Revenue Streams for Franchisees

Crust Pizza Co. is built to make money in more than one way. The brand operates a hybrid service model that works for both the sit-down guest and the customer who wants food to go. Over time, locations tend to settle near a half-and-half split between dine-in and off-premises. This balance gives the business steady traffic across different customer preferences and dayparts.

Dine-in is an important part of the model. The restaurants are designed for families and groups that want a comfortable place to eat together. Seating, flow and décor help keep tables moving without feeling rushed. This creates repeat visits and higher checks from guests who come for the experience, not just the food.

"We have the open ceilings with exposed ductwork, so it's a warm, cozy environment," CEO Carl Comeaux said on a recent "Take-Away with Sam Oches" podcast. "We always attach a patio to it with a fence, so that way the kids can play while the parents catch up. You can bring your wife for a date night, or you can bring your kids after a ball game. It really serves both."

Revenue streams diversify

Real estate and footprint of the locations also support the revenue picture. Crust Pizza Co. has refined its box to about 2,300 to 2,500 square feet while keeping about 70 seats. This keeps occupancy costs in line and maintains capacity for peak periods.

Takeout is the other core channel. As stores mature, more customers choose pickup for convenience. The menu travels well and is priced for family orders, which supports strong ticket sizes outside the dining room.

"Dine-in is usually how a customer would discover us ... but as the store evolves and matures over the years, the business becomes 50/50 between dine-in and to-go/pickup," Comeaux said.

Delivery and alcohol sales

Delivery adds a third stream. The brand participates in third-party delivery to meet customer expectations. While marketplace fees exist, delivery still captures demand that would otherwise go elsewhere and extends the brand’s reach beyond easy driving distance.

Alcohol sales provide another layer of income inside the four walls. Beer and wine raise average checks without slowing operations. The offering fits the brand’s family-friendly positioning and gives adults a reason to choose Crust Pizza Co. for casual nights out, youth-sports celebrations and weekend dinners.

"We have picking tables outside and you always see friends together with a couple beers or a bottle of wine, laughing with a couple pizzas," Comeaux said.

Cost controls and growth

Behind the scenes, Crust Pizza Co. protects profitability with cost controls that act like a fifth stream. The company developed a proprietary mozzarella through a direct manufacturer relationship. Cutting out middlemen reduced cost per pound and stabilized a major input. Those savings stack across the system and show up in store-level margins without changing the guest experience.

All of these streams sit on top of a business that has shown strong unit performance. Pairing multiple sales channels with disciplined cost management gives franchisees more ways to grow revenue while keeping margins steady.

Crust Pizza Co. is growing and supporting operators with training, field resources and corporate-run showrooms. The brand seeks owner-operators and experienced multi-unit groups who can grow alongside the system and carry forward the same balanced approach that makes each store profitable.