---
title: "Crust Pizza Co. Eyes National Expansion with Franchise Model"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/f9bc0ac6-f389-431f-8917-dc254e0124b9
source: "1851 Franchise"
original_url: https://1851franchise.com/chron-is-crust-pizza-co-poised-to-be-americas-next-big-pizza-franchise-2727513
category: "Pizza"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Pizza"
topics: ["Development & multi-unit"]
published: 2024-10-01T20:15:48.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T01:05:00.462Z
image: https://newimage.1851franchise.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=85,format=webp,width=1280,height=720/story/featureImage/ff80c91a4aa0e70eed262539a71005228295.jpg
---

# Crust Pizza Co. Eyes National Expansion with Franchise Model

**TL;DR:** Crust Pizza Co., a Chicago-style pizza franchise, is expanding nationally with a franchise model, aiming for 250 stores in nine years. The chain has 37 locations and plans to add 10 more by the end of 2024.

*originally published in 1851 Franchise on 2024-10-01. [Read the original](https://1851franchise.com/chron-is-crust-pizza-co-poised-to-be-americas-next-big-pizza-franchise-2727513).*

## Story

Crust Pizza Co., a Chicago-style pizza franchise founded in 2011 in The Woodlands, Texas, is experiencing steady growth, positioning itself as a potential major franchise in the U.S. pizza industry. Founded by childhood friends Mark Rasberry and Clint Price, the chain now boasts 37 locations, with 10 more planned by the end of 2024.

CEO Carl Comeaux, who joined the company after falling in love with its concept, aims for controlled expansion, targeting 50 franchise licenses and 25 new locations annually, with a goal of 250 stores in nine years.

Crust Pizza Co. offers a menu centered on Chicago-style thin-crust pizza, as well as pastas, calzones, salads and desserts. The dine-in experience is a key differentiator, with welcoming atmospheres that feature open windows, warm lighting and even kid-friendly outdoor seating.

Financially, the chain is strong, with an average unit volume (AUV) of $1.6 million, surpassing competitors like Papa John’s and Domino’s. Notably, Crust has not closed a location since 2021 and is selective about franchise partners, rejecting 93% of applicants. The chain’s emphasis on community involvement and its unique approach to responsible franchising suggest it is poised for long-term success while maintaining a local, neighborhood feel.

## Entities

- 1851 Franchise (publication)
- Restaurants (sector)
- unit expansion (topic)
- franchise model (topic)
- Domino's (company)
- Papa Johns (company)
- national expansion (topic)
- pizza industry (topic)
- Crust Pizza Co. (company)
- Carl Comeaux (person)

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Originally reported by 1851 Franchise (https://1851franchise.com/chron-is-crust-pizza-co-poised-to-be-americas-next-big-pizza-franchise-2727513). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/f9bc0ac6-f389-431f-8917-dc254e0124b9).