Established
1972
Franchise Units
600
Minimum Investment
$120,000
Franchise Fee
$25,000
Total Investment Range
$350,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Noble Roman’s Pizza franchise represents one of America’s most established and respected pizza brands, offering entrepreneurs a proven pathway into the highly resilient quick-service restaurant industry. Known for its signature thin-crust pizzas, premium cheese blends, and bold proprietary sauces, Noble Roman’s Pizza has built a loyal customer base over decades by staying true to quality, consistency, and value.
What sets Noble Roman’s apart in today’s crowded pizza landscape is its flexible business model. Unlike traditional dine-in heavy franchises, the brand has successfully evolved into express, non-traditional, and delivery-focused formats that reduce overhead while maximizing market reach. From convenience stores and universities to standalone and carryout-focused locations, Noble Roman’s adapts seamlessly to modern consumer demand for speed, affordability, and convenience.
For investors seeking a time-tested American pizza franchise with strong brand recognition, scalable formats, and operational efficiency, Noble Roman’s Pizza offers a compelling balance of legacy credibility and future-ready growth potential in the U.S. market.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
Investing in Noble Roman’s Pizza means aligning with a brand that has already navigated multiple economic cycles and consumer trends—something newer concepts cannot claim.
Key reasons investors choose Noble Roman’s Pizza include:
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Decades of Brand Trust: A long-standing reputation for quality pizza and value pricing
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Flexible Franchise Formats: Express, non-traditional, and traditional models allow entry at different investment levels
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Lower Operational Complexity: Streamlined menus, efficient kitchen layouts, and reduced labor needs
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Strong Consumer Demand: Pizza remains one of the most consistently purchased QSR categories in the U.S.
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Proven Unit Economics: Emphasis on high-margin items and operational efficiency
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Adaptability: Successful placement in convenience stores, travel centers, colleges, and high-traffic retail locations
Background
Brand Name: Noble Roman’s Pizza
Industry Category: Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) – Pizza Franchise
Established Year
Noble Roman’s Pizza was founded in 1972, making it one of the longest-operating pizza franchise brands in the United States.
Founders
The brand was founded by Donald Phillips, an entrepreneur who set out to create a pizza concept focused on premium ingredients, proprietary recipes, and consistent quality at scale.
Brand Journey & Company History
Noble Roman’s Pizza began as a traditional pizza restaurant concept during the early growth years of American franchising. The brand quickly gained recognition for its signature thin-crust pizza, bold tomato sauce, and high-quality cheese blends—elements that became its competitive advantage.
As consumer behavior and real estate dynamics evolved, Noble Roman’s was among the early adopters of non-traditional franchise locations, expanding into convenience stores, travel plazas, colleges, military bases, and other high-traffic environments. This strategic shift allowed the brand to grow efficiently while keeping startup and operating costs relatively low compared to full-service pizza restaurants.
Over the decades, Noble Roman’s refined its menu, simplified operations, and built systems designed for speed, consistency, and profitability. The introduction of Noble Roman’s Express further strengthened the brand’s appeal to multi-unit operators and investors seeking scalable, flexible formats.
Ownership & Corporate Structure
Noble Roman’s Pizza operates under Noble Roman’s, Inc., a publicly traded company responsible for franchising, brand management, supply chain oversight, and ongoing innovation. Corporate leadership continues to focus on franchisee profitability, product development, and expanding the brand’s footprint through strategic partnerships.
Franchise Active Units
Noble Roman’s Pizza currently operates approximately 600+ active franchise units across the United States, primarily through its Express and non-traditional formats, with additional Craft Pizza & Pub locations in select markets.
Market Presence in the USA
The brand has a strong presence throughout the Midwest and continues to expand nationwide. Noble Roman’s Pizza is especially prominent in convenience stores, travel centers, universities, and retail hubs—locations that benefit from consistent foot traffic and repeat customer demand.
Support Training
Noble Roman’s Pizza is known for offering franchisees structured, practical, and ongoing support designed to simplify operations and accelerate time to profitability.
Pre-Launch Support
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Site evaluation and concept selection guidance
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Store layout and equipment recommendations
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Assistance with vendor sourcing and supply chain setup
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Pre-opening marketing planning
Training Program
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Comprehensive initial training covering food preparation, quality standards, and safety protocols
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Operations training focused on labor efficiency, inventory management, and daily controls
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POS and reporting system training
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Franchise management and financial fundamentals
Operational Support
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Ongoing field support and operational guidance
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Regular updates on menu enhancements and product innovation
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Access to proven operational manuals and systems
Marketing & Branding Support
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National brand assets and promotional materials
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Seasonal and limited-time offer campaigns
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Guidance on local store marketing and community engagement
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Digital and delivery platform support
This end-to-end support structure ensures franchisees are not only prepared to launch but are continuously supported as the business grows.
Ideal Candidate
Noble Roman’s Pizza appeals to a wide range of franchise investors due to its operational flexibility and scalable model.
The ideal franchisee typically includes:
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Owner-Operators seeking a hands-on business with manageable complexity
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Multi-Unit Operators looking to add a proven pizza brand to their portfolio
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Retail & Convenience Store Owners aiming to increase foodservice revenue
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Entrepreneurs with basic business acumen and a passion for foodservice
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Investors interested in semi-absentee models in non-traditional locations
Preferred Traits:
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Strong operational discipline
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Customer-service mindset
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Ability to follow systems and brand standards
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Willingness to engage in local marketing
Location Preferences:
High-traffic areas such as convenience stores, travel centers, campuses, urban retail hubs, and suburban markets with strong carryout and delivery demand.
Financial Detail
| Financial Component | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $120,000 – $350,000 |
| Minimum Investment Required | ~$120,000 |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 |
| Franchise Units (Active – Current) | 600+ Units (USA) |
| Infrastructure & Equipment Cost | $60,000 – $180,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements | $15,000 – $75,000 (varies by format & location) |
| Initial Marketing / Grand Opening | $5,000 – $15,000 |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Royalty Fees | ~6% of Gross Sales |
| National / Brand Marketing Fee | ~2% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 Months |
| Expected ROI | Competitive returns driven by low overhead & high-margin menu |
| Primary Revenue Streams | Pizza sales, sides & appetizers, beverages, carryout, delivery, non-traditional foot traffic |