Pizza Factory wants to come to Havre

Pizza Factory, a California-based pizza restaurant chain, is looking for people interested in starting and operating their own franchise in Havre, part of a larger push to expand its number of locations in several western states.

Pizza Factory President and CEO Mary Jane Riva said the company, which operates 113 stores in the western U.S., has been looking since March for franchisees who want to start and own their business as well as be part of a community.

She said when Pizza Factory started opening franchises it was usually in communities of less than 20,000 people.

“We are about getting into communities and families at being the place where you come in and bring your family and the little league team after your game,” Riva said.

A typical store will have between 15 and 20 employees, though the number varies with the location, she said.

Riva said nobody from Havre has yet submitted an application to start a location but a total of five have been submitted in Montana: two in Plentywood and one each in Billings, Kalispell and Belgrade.

People interested in applying to own a franchise can go to http://www.pizzafactoryfranchises.com.