While in college studying mechanical engineering in the ‘80s, Shahpour Nejad worked part-time making and delivering pizzas. "It stuck with me. I am still loving the pizza business."  

After moving from Cleveland to Sacramento, Nejad opened the very first Pizza Guys in 1986. "What a learning experience,” he says, adding, “We had 65 seats and offered a pretty extensive menu featuring a lunch buffet. We became much smarter opening our second location at a 1,200 square-foot counter-service, take-out and delivery-only concept.”

The concept’s second unit was a prototype for expansion. Currently, there are eight company-owned units operating in the Sacramento metro. There are five franchises with seven more scheduled to open by the end of 2025.

Nejad felt Pizza Guys was ready to franchise once the concept had:

“It's important to determine your niche in the marketplace,” says Nejad. “The pizza customer seems to be driven by either price, or quality and variety. We chose the second option and have been very happy with the creativity it has allowed us.”

Pizza Guys offers more than 30 specialty pizzas and four homemade sauces on thin, thick, and New York style crusts. Locations are permitted some flexibility with menu offerings, limited-time promotions, and community marketing. Adds Nejad, "What I like most about what I do is working with managers and franchisees to build their units' business."