Mr. Gatti’s acquired by a longtime franchisee
Mr. Gatti’s gains new ownership as a longtime franchisee acquires the legacy brand.
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G. Brint Ryan has acquired complete ownership of Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, transitioning from co-owner to primary owner. This follows a period of significant growth under CEO Jim Phillips, who oversees the expansion of the brand from three states to twelve and nearly doubled revenue over five years, culminating in an impressive $141.7 million in sales in 2025.
Why It Matters
This acquisition may signal a shift in the strategic direction of Mr. Gatti's, impacting franchisee relationships and support mechanisms as territory availability evolves under Ryan's leadership.
G. Brint Ryan has acquired complete ownership of Mr. Gatti's Pizza, a legacy pizza chain, from its previous majority owner, marking a significant milestone in the brand's history. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ryan, who previously co-owned the brand through his company OneRyan Global since December 2025, takes over as primary owner as the company continues its expansion efforts. This transaction signals the start of CEO Jim Phillips' planned retirement, who has led the brand for over a decade.
During Phillips' tenure, Mr. Gatti's saw remarkable growth, increasing its unit count from 65 to 98 locations—a 50% expansion—and achieving nearly 10% sales growth in 2025, resulting in total revenues of $141.7 million. Phillips emphasized his pride in leading a turnaround and stated, “Together with our franchisees and leadership team, we've strengthened every part of this business, from operations and financial performance to brand consistency and franchisee support."
Under Ryan's leadership, additional initiatives have been put in place, including modernizing franchise agreements, enhancing franchisee support, and reintroducing original recipes as part of a broader repositioning strategy. The company also established a partnership with Walmart for retail growth and restored annual franchise conventions, signaling a commitment to franchisee engagement and brand integrity.
As Ryan transitions into his role, he highlighted the importance of continuing to support franchisees, stating, “My wife Amanda and I are honored to carry that legacy forward as we invest in the continued growth of Mr. Gatti's.”
The completion of this deal suggests a commitment to continuity within the existing royalty structure and operational support as Ryan takes leadership. The upcoming transition period will be closely monitored by stakeholders, especially as a new CEO is expected to be appointed shortly. Franchisees and investors will be watching how effectively the brand can maintain its growth trajectory and whether the new leadership will reinforce the collaborative culture established under Phillips.
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