Two pizza brands are putting down roots in new territory this month, while a third brand signed a new franchisee in the Deep South, according to separate news releases.

Pieology is heading for the Sunshine State with its newest site, in Pensacola, Florida, operated by franchise partner, Kingdom Pies, LLC. The franchisee also operates three other Southeastern U.S. outlets of the brand.

“Pieology continues to prove itself as a leader in the custom pizza segment and we are beyond excited to bring our creative and fun dining experience to even more Floridians, as well as having the opportunity to continue the company’s expansion efforts across the United States,” Kingdom Pies Chief Executive Manager Ted Cheng, said in a news release.

Meanwhile, a Montana-themed MacKenzie River Pizza Grill Pub opens in Rapid City, South Dakota, with franchise partners Colin Higgins and Mark Thompson at the controls.The Elgin Street location is the fifth site for the franchisees and the concept’s second site in South Dakota, according to a news release.

Lastly, Mod Super Fast Pizza Holdings, LLC said it has added its ninth franchise partner — Southern Pie, LLC — to develop locations in Georgia and Alabama, according to a news release. The franchisee organization, led by Robbie Hill and Kimberly Hill Hayden, expects to open its first sites this year. The father-daughter team are multi-industry entrepreneurs who have built and operated successful construction and healthcare companies, and also operate the Bojangles’ business in the same region.

“What appealed to us about Mod is their progressive approach to hiring along with their strong focus on a people-first culture. We are excited to make Mod the employer of choice for the region, knowing that if we attract and develop an outstanding team, we can deliver an incredible in-store experience,” Southern Pie partner and CEO Kimberly Hayden, said in a news release.

Source:  Fast Casual, February 2017