Brian Claggett, one-third of the family operation behind 50-year-old Columbus-area staple Plaza Pizza, hopes to set up shop in three new states this year through a soon-to-launch franchise program, before returning to Ohio’s capital and opening more corporate-run locations.
After announcing its move to franchise in March, hundreds have inquired with a few seriously interested in becoming franchisees in Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, Claggett says. He hopes to open four to six new locations by the end of the year. The two Ohio outposts in Newark and Heath will remain corporate-owned, while the new franchise spots will adopt a local flair to maintain its original mom-and-pop shop, family-owned feel.
“Some people might look at a [company franchise] and think that’s not a local establishment but it actually is because the person that’s running [it] is from your own community,” he says.
He says the new locations will be encouraged to buy local produce and support local charities and little leagues.
The menu and its recipes have remained mostly the same since its grand opening in Newark, Ohio in 1971, featuring customer-favorites including its specialty pies like All the Meats with pepperoni, bacon, ham, sausage and hamburger and All the Way with pepperoni, mushroom, onion, green pepper, green olive and banana pepper. It also offers cauliflower crust, as well as salads, sandwiches, sides and desserts.
Claggett and his two siblings, Ben and Olivia, bought the business in 2019 after being informed about its sale by their mother. He was stationed in South Korea serving active military duty at the time.
He recalls fond childhood memories ordering from the establishment on the weekends with his family.
“I remember growing up as a kid, you always get excited about Friday and Saturday nights because it’s pizza night,” he says. “I remember going down there with my dad pretty frequently. The waiting area was always packed, and the smells were awesome. It built up the anticipation of… watching a movie and eating it with your family.”
Brian is still serving active military duty, currently stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas. The company is offering a special military discount to veterans interested in becoming franchise partners, with the standard fee starting at $45,000.
Ironically, the pizza boy was even stationed in Italy for three years. He jokes that Italian pizza is very different from and “hard to compare” to the typical extra-cheesy, toppings-heavy American-style pizza.
