Washington, D.C.-based &pizza has signed its first international franchise agreement, partnering with operator The 90s Venture to open 10 restaurants in northern India by 2032. The deal marks the brand’s first expansion outside the United States since it launched its franchise system in 2025, with the debut location planned for Mumbai in 2027.
Founded in 2012, &pizza operates 43 locations, five of them as franchises, and is known for its customizable, oblong-shaped pizzas. The brand is now part of Latitude Food Group, a holding company that also includes Tex-Mex chain Tijuana Flats. International expansion was built into &pizza’s long-term roadmap from the start of its franchising push, though the direction of that growth proved different from what leadership initially anticipated. Of all the international inquiries received over the past several years, India ranked first by volume, according to Chief Development Officer Brett Willis.
A Mumbai Launch Anchors a Regionally Focused India Strategy
The 90s Venture, which Willis described as having operating experience across both the United States and India, will develop all 10 locations in the country’s northern region. The geographic focus is intentional: Willis said culinary preferences vary significantly across India from north to south and east to west, and a nationwide rollout would require four or five distinct menus. Starting in the north, with the first location in Mumbai in 2027, allows the brand to refine its menu approach and build out its supply chain before expanding into other regions. A PR agency based in India has already been engaged to support the market entry ahead of the planned launch.
Multi-Unit Focus and Targeted Territories Define the Franchise Model
&pizza has not signed any single-unit franchise agreements to date. All development agreements have been multi-unit, with a preference for a minimum of three locations per operator. The brand’s goal is to reach 250 to 300 locations by 2030, with 80 to 90 percent operated by franchisees. In the U.S., agreements have been signed covering markets in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with a corporate unit also under development in Las Vegas. Average unit volume for the middle third of corporate stores reached $1 million in 2024; the top third posted $1.4 million. The initial investment range to open an &pizza, which averages 1,400 square feet, is between $745,000 and $1.14 million.
India Opens a Broader International Pipeline
The India agreement is the first step in a broader international program. Willis said the brand is also working with representatives actively exploring markets in Europe, Asia, and South America. India stood out as the most consistent source of international franchise inquiries, a pattern Willis attributed in part to the brand’s culinary identity, which includes bold and spicy flavor profiles that align with regional tastes. The 10-unit deal with The 90s Venture was sized deliberately to prioritize quality of execution over scale, with the goal of establishing a solid operational foothold before extending the agreement across other regions of the country.
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