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The Untold Truth of Pizza Ranch: Exploring the Midwest’s Most Popular Pizza Franchise
The Pizza Ranch Franchise Began in Iowa
Pizza Ranch, a popular pizza franchise, has become a staple in the heartland of America. Founded by Adrie Groeneweg and his father, Bill Groeneweg, Pizza Ranch had humble beginnings in Hull, Iowa. Noticing that customers were traveling from miles around to taste his pizza, Adrie was inspired to open his own restaurant. With the support of his father, they opened their first Pizza Ranch location in Hull. Within two years, the business expanded to include a second location in Orange City, Iowa, and eventually became a franchise with multiple locations in five states.
CEO lives in Orange City, Iowa
Adrie Groeneweg, the founder of Pizza Ranch, is still actively involved in the business as CEO. He lives in Orange City, Iowa, where the second Pizza Ranch was founded. In addition to his dedication to running a successful pizza franchise, Groeneweg has a passion for gardening and takes pride in his beautiful green lawns and trees. He even shares his home-grown produce with Pizza Ranch employees. With more than 7,000 employees, Pizza Ranch provides a livelihood for thousands of people under Groeneweg’s leadership.
Pizza Ranch has some unique pizza flavors
As the name suggests, Pizza Ranch specializes in serving delicious pizza. With over a dozen different flavors, their menu offers a variety of options to suit every taste. While they have classic choices like cheese and pepperoni, Pizza Ranch also offers unique creations like chicken broccoli alfredo, mac & cheese, and beef ‘n broccoli. In keeping with its Western theme, Pizza Ranch creatively names some of its pies Roundup, Prairie and Bronco. In addition to catering to a variety of dietary preferences, Pizza Ranch offers gluten-free crusts and a build-your-own option. They have also expanded their menu to include Bake @ Home pizzas, including breakfast pizzas for those who crave fresh pizza in the morning. A notable dessert pizza called Cactus Bread has been a customer favorite since 1993.
Pizza Ranch has an award-winning buffet.
While pizza is the star of the show at Pizza Ranch, the restaurant also offers an award-winning buffet experience. The buffet features a wide variety of delicious dishes, including mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and green beans, and a salad bar. Customers can choose from the buffet or order a personalized pizza at their table. Pizza Ranch takes pride in its buffet and was honored by Newsweek with the 2021 Best Customer Service Award among buffet restaurants in the United States. Initially, the buffet was only available one night a week during Pizza Ranch’s first two years of operation. But thanks to a franchisee in Brandon, South Dakota, the buffet became available all hours. Today, the buffet accounts for nearly 80% of Pizza Ranch’s sales.
Pizza Ranch is also known for its chicken.
Although Pizza Ranch is best known for its delicious pizzas, its rotisserie (not fried) chicken has become a fan favorite. Pizza Ranch has been serving “The Country’s Best Chicken” since 1987. Customers can choose from a variety of cuts and portions, and several sauces are available upon request. The fried chicken has received high praise, with many considering it to be among the best fried chicken offered by a national chain. Broasted Chicken was initially introduced at Pizza Ranch locations due to the success of a franchisee in Sioux City, Iowa, who had sold it at his previous restaurant.
Pizza Ranch has a podcast and app
To keep up with the changing times, Pizza Ranch has embraced technology with the launch of a podcast and mobile app. Launched in 2019, the Pizza Ranch podcast provides listeners with behind-the-scenes stories and history of the beloved pizza chain. The podcast features interviews with various members of the Pizza Ranch team, including founder and CEO Adrie Groeneweg. The mobile app, called Pizza Ranch Rewards, offers a number of convenient features for customers. It includes a restaurant location finder, online ordering capabilities and a rewards points management system. The app is available in both English and Spanish to cater to a diverse customer base.
You’ll find arcade games at some Pizza Ranch locations
In addition to serving delicious food, Pizza Ranch strives to create a fun and enjoyable dining experience. Some Pizza Ranch locations feature the Pizza Ranch FunZone Arcade, which delights customers, especially children. The arcades feature a variety of glow-in-the-dark games and a prize booth where winners can redeem tokens for exciting rewards. While not all Pizza Ranch locations have arcades, nearly all offer community rooms that can be booked for parties and events. Those locations that have both the FunZone Arcade and community rooms offer special birthday party packages that include unlimited buffet access and FunZone Arcade play time.
Pizza Ranch supports charities
In addition to serving delicious food, Pizza Ranch is committed to making a positive impact in the communities it serves. The company actively supports charitable causes through its Living Manna initiative. Through Living Manna, Pizza Ranch partners with local organizations and charities to give back to those in need. This includes fundraising events, donations and community outreach programs. Pizza Ranch believes in the power of community and strives to make a difference in the lives of others.
The Future of Pizza Ranch
With a strong presence in the Midwest and a loyal customer base, Pizza Ranch continues to thrive and expand its reach. The franchise shows no signs of slowing down and has plans to open additional locations in the coming years. Pizza Ranch remains committed to providing exceptional customer service, delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere. As the company grows, it will continue to innovate and adapt to evolving customer preferences while staying true to its roots.
In summary, Pizza Ranch has become a beloved pizza franchise in the Midwest, known for its delicious pizzas, unique flavors, award-winning buffet and community-oriented approach. From its humble beginnings in Iowa to its multi-state expansion, Pizza Ranch has maintained its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Whether you’re a pizza enthusiast or simply looking for a memorable dining experience, Pizza Ranch has something for everyone. So the next time you find yourself in the heartland of America, be sure to visit a Pizza Ranch location and indulge in their delicious pizzas and other delicious offerings.
FAQS
Pizza Ranch was founded by Adrie Groeneweg and his father, Bill Groeneweg, in Hull, Iowa. Inspired by customers who traveled from miles around to taste Adrie’s pizza, they opened their first Pizza Ranch location in Hull. Within a few years, they expanded to other locations, turning Pizza Ranch into a multiunit franchise in five states.
Who is the CEO of Pizza Ranch?
The CEO of Pizza Ranch is Adrie Groeneweg, the founder of the franchise. Adrie remains actively involved in the business and resides in Orange City, Iowa, where the second Pizza Ranch was established.
What makes Pizza Ranch pizza unique?
Pizza Ranch offers a variety of unique pizza flavors in addition to classic options. Their menu includes creative creations such as Chicken Broccoli Alfredo, Mac & Cheese, and Beef ‘n Broccoli. They also offer gluten-free crusts and a build-your-own option. In addition, Pizza Ranch has introduced a breakfast pizza and a popular dessert pizza called Cactus Bread.
What can customers expect at the Pizza Ranch buffet?
Pizza Ranch’s buffet is a highlight of the dining experience. It offers a wide variety of dishes, including mashed potatoes and gravy, corn and green beans, and a salad bar. Customers can choose from the buffet or request a customized pizza at their table. The buffet accounts for a significant portion of Pizza Ranch’s sales and has been recognized for its exceptional customer service.
Does Pizza Ranch serve anything other than pizza?
While pizza is the main attraction, Pizza Ranch is also known for its rotisserie (not fried) chicken. They have been serving “The Country’s Best Chicken” since 1987. Customers can choose from different cuts and portions, and different sauces are available upon request. Pizza Ranch is committed to catering to a wide variety of tastes and preferences.
Does Pizza Ranch support charitable causes?
Yes, Pizza Ranch actively supports charitable causes through its Living Manna initiative. They partner with local organizations and charities to give back to the communities they serve. This includes fundraising events, donations and community outreach programs. Pizza Ranch is committed to making a positive impact and believes in the power of community.