FAIRFAX, Va. — Mountain Mike’s Pizza has signed a development agreement to open three new locations in Northern Virginia, marking the California-based chain’s debut in the state. The deal, announced this week, extends the brand’s growing national footprint and brings its total operating states to twelve.
The new restaurants will be located in Fairfax and Loudoun counties and will be developed by local franchisee Niraj Hemrajani, a multi-brand operator with a portfolio of established restaurant concepts. “After years of brand growth throughout the West, Virginia is another exciting leap forward for Mountain Mike’s Pizza,” said Jim Metevier, CEO of Mountain Mike’s Pizza.
The move comes as part of a broader expansion strategy that has recently included new development in Florida and ongoing growth in states such as Arizona, Texas, and Washington. The pizza chain, known for its oversized pizzas and signature crispy, curly pepperoni, now boasts more than 300 units nationwide.
Founded over four decades ago, Mountain Mike’s Pizza emphasizes a family-style dining experience. Its menu features handmade pizzas with fresh dough prepared daily, a salad bar lunch buffet, bone-in wings, and house-made Garlic Not-Knots, as well as in-house delivery and catering options.
The Virginia expansion reflects increasing demand for fast-casual pizza concepts with a strong community presence. “With every state we enter, we are reinforcing our industry standing as a national pizza brand,” said Chris Britt and Ed St. Geme, the brand’s principal owners.
National growth and franchise recognition
Mountain Mike’s Pizza has seen rising recognition in industry publications and rankings, including the 2024 Franchise 500 List by Entrepreneur and Pizza Marketplace’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers, where it was named Brand of the Year. The company also received the TopScore Award for its top-ranked FUND Score in the food category.
As part of its growth strategy, the company is actively pursuing development agreements in multiple states, including Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The brand has emphasized its appeal to franchisees with strong unit economics and a reputation for operational support.
With the Virginia agreement in place, Mountain Mike’s Pizza continues to pursue its national development goals. The company expects more restaurants to open throughout 2025 and beyond, particularly in emerging markets with high growth potential.