Yes, a MOD Pizza franchise exists, but it is a small slice of a mostly company-run chain: 87 of 552 U.S. restaurants were franchised at the end of 2023, and Elite Pizza Holdings bought the company on July 10, 2024.
The newest MOD Pizza disclosure document we could open is the one issued April 30, 2024 and amended September 6, 2024. It puts a new restaurant at $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 all in, with a $30,000 initial franchise fee, and it adds a route most franchise guides miss: buying an existing company restaurant from the franchisor’s affiliate.
Key takeaways
- Ownership: Elite Pizza Holdings, LLC, formed July 3, 2024, “acquired all of the equity interests” in MOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings, LLC on July 10, 2024 (Item 1 of the MOD FDD as amended September 6, 2024).
- Cost: Item 7 estimates $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 for one new restaurant and $1,011,723 to $1,393,634 for the first restaurant under an area development agreement covering 2 to 10 units (Item 7).
- Fees after opening: a 5% Continuing Fee and 2% Marketing Fees on weekly Revenues, plus at least 2% on local marketing; the April 2024 royalty ramp starting at 2% was dropped in the September amendment (Item 6).
- Footprint: company-owned restaurants grew from 422 to 465 between 2021 and 2023 while franchised units moved from 84 to 87; Restaurant Business reported 482 U.S. units at the end of 2024 from a June 2025 filing (Restaurant Business, November 5, 2025).
- Earnings data: Item 19 of both 2024 versions states MOD does “not make any financial performance representations” (Item 19).
Is MOD Pizza a franchise, or mostly company-run?
MOD Pizza sells franchises through MOD Super Fast Pizza Franchising, LLC, a Delaware company formed on July 25, 2013 that “began offering franchises for MOD Pizza Restaurants in 2013” (Item 1). Most restaurants are still run by the company: at December 31, 2023, 465 of 552 U.S. units were company-owned, which leaves franchisees with 15.8% of the system (Item 20, Table 1).
That split shapes what a buyer is negotiating with. The franchisor itself “does not operate MOD Pizza Restaurants”; an affiliate, MOD Super Fast Pizza, LLC, runs the company stores, and it is that affiliate that sells existing restaurants under the September 2024 Purchase Agreement. Two more franchised restaurants operate in British Columbia under a Canadian affiliate that has offered franchises since March 2019, and Item 20 excludes them from its U.S. counts.
| Key number | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Franchised U.S. restaurants, Dec 31, 2023 | 87 | Item 20, Table 1 |
| Company-owned U.S. restaurants, Dec 31, 2023 | 465 | Item 20, Table 1 |
| Initial franchise fee | $30,000 | Item 5 |
| Total initial investment, one restaurant | $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 | Item 7 |
| Continuing Fee / Marketing Fees | 5% / 2% of weekly Revenues | Item 6 |
| Floor space | 2,600 to 2,900 square feet | Item 7, note 4 |
| Franchise term | 10 years | Item 17 |
| Typical time to open | 6 to 12 months after signing | Item 11 |
Who owns MOD Pizza after the July 2024 sale?
As of November 2026, MOD Pizza’s parent company is owned by Elite Pizza Holdings, LLC, which Item 1 of the amended FDD says bought “all of the equity interests in Parent” on July 10, 2024. The FDD ties the franchisor to Elite Restaurant Group, which also controls the Marie Callender’s and Slater’s 50/50 franchise programs. The price was not disclosed (Restaurant Dive, July 10, 2024).
The sale came after a hard first half. A MOD spokesperson told USA TODAY the chain had closed “44 restaurants year-to-date” by July 2024, and the company’s website then listed 512 locations in 28 states (USA TODAY, July 11, 2024). The April 30, 2024 FDD had already carried an auditor’s going-concern paragraph: the parent “reported a net loss of $36.8 million for 2023” and had a working capital deficiency (Item 21, Exhibit B). The September amendment kept those same 2023 financial statements.
The dated steps, in order:
- February 2008: MOD Pizza concept founded (Item 1).
- July 25, 2013: MOD Super Fast Pizza Franchising, LLC formed; franchising starts in 2013.
- March 2019: affiliate MOD INT starts offering franchises in Canada.
- December 31, 2023: 552 U.S. restaurants, 465 company-owned and 87 franchised (Item 20).
- April 30, 2024: FDD issued; the auditor flags going-concern doubt (Item 21).
- July 3, 2024: Elite Pizza Holdings, LLC formed in Delaware.
- July 10, 2024: Elite Pizza Holdings acquires all equity of the MOD parent.
- September 6, 2024: amended FDD adds the sale and a Purchase Agreement route.
- September 12, 2024: National Franchise Sales hired for a nationwide refranchising effort (release on RestaurantNews.com).
- June 2025: a 2025 FDD is filed; Restaurant Business reported it shows 482 U.S. units at the end of 2024.
- November 5, 2025: the chain cites about 454 units in 26 states, as reported by Restaurant Business.
- November 8, 2026: modpizza.com shows no franchise page, and the newest MOD FDD on Minnesota CARDS is still the 2024 document.
Private ownership changes like this one are common in restaurant franchising, and our research on private equity franchise ownership tracks how often a new owner rewrites fee terms. For MOD, the September 2024 amendment is the first document where that rewrite shows.
What changed between the April and September 2024 MOD disclosure documents?
Minnesota’s CARDS database holds two versions of the 2024 MOD FDD: the April 30, 2024 issue (document 31547-202404-08) and the same FDD “as amended September 6, 2024” (document 32343-202409-05). Item 5 and Item 7 dollar figures are identical, but Items 1, 2, 4, 6, 20 and 22 changed after the sale, and the royalty incentive disappeared.
| Item | April 30, 2024 FDD | As amended September 6, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Item 1, parent | MOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings, LLC | Same parent; Elite Pizza Holdings, LLC acquired all equity on July 10, 2024 |
| Item 1, affiliated franchise programs | Canadian affiliate only | Adds Marie Callender’s Franchise Inc. (19 franchised, 5 company-owned at Dec 31, 2023) and Slater’s 50/50 Franchise, LLC (8 franchised) |
| Items 1 and 5, existing restaurants | No purchase route | Purchase Agreement (Exhibit J) to buy an affiliate-owned restaurant at a negotiated price |
| Item 2, chief executive | CEO since January 2024 | New CEO since July 2024, also President of Marie Callender’s |
| Item 4, bankruptcy | Discloses the Hertz Chapter 11 case (No. 20-11218) through a former Hertz officer | “No bankruptcies are required to be disclosed” |
| Item 6, Continuing Fee | 5%, with an incentive of 2%, 3% and 4% in years 1 to 3 for on-time openings | 5%; incentive removed; case-by-case fee relief for buyers of existing restaurants |
| Item 7, total for one restaurant | $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 | $1,001,223 to $1,301,134, plus a note on buying an existing restaurant |
| Item 20, Table 5 projected company openings | 1 (Texas) | 2 (Texas) |
| Item 22, exhibits | Incentive Addenda C-1 and D-1 | Incentive addenda gone; Exhibit J Form of Purchase Agreement added |
The comparison is published as a CSV (mod_fdd_versions.csv) with this article. Neither version is the 2025 FDD that Restaurant Business described; that filing does not appear in Minnesota CARDS as of November 8, 2026, so ask the franchisor for its current issuance date before relying on any 2024 figure. Our guide to reading a franchise disclosure document explains the 14-day receipt rule that applies to whichever version you get.
What does the MOD Pizza franchise cost to open, line by line?
The MOD Pizza franchise cost for one new restaurant is $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 under Item 7 of the September 2024 amended FDD, of which $33,000 to $48,000 goes to the franchisor. Leasehold improvements ($445,640 to $613,337) and furniture, fixtures and equipment ($416,583 to $456,797) make up about 86% of the low estimate. Rent, land and ground-up construction are excluded.
| Item 7 line | Low | High | Paid to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $30,000 | MOD Pizza |
| Leasehold Improvements | $445,640 | $613,337 | Suppliers |
| Training Costs | $5,000 | $18,000 | Employees, travel, MOD Pizza |
| Furniture, Fixtures, Supplies, Décor and Equipment | $416,583 | $456,797 | Suppliers or leasing companies |
| Site Design, Architectural and Engineering Fees | $32,000 | $45,000 | MOD Pizza and suppliers |
| Point-of-Sale and Computer System | $15,000 | $23,000 | Suppliers |
| Beer and Wine License Costs | $2,000 | $15,000 | Government agencies |
| Miscellaneous | $15,000 | $40,000 | Landlord, utilities, professionals |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $10,000 | $10,000 | Suppliers |
| Additional Funds, 3 months | $30,000 | $50,000 | MOD Pizza, landlord, suppliers |
| Total | $1,001,223 | $1,301,134 | Item 7 |
Two footnotes move the number. Leasehold costs are “net of tenant improvement allowance” and assume a standard landlord work letter (note 4), so a landlord that delivers less pushes the build-out above $613,337. A beer and wine license above $25,000 out of pocket may be waived “in our sole discretion” (note 9). MOD offers no financing (Item 10), which is why our franchise financing guide matters for a seven-figure build.
What reaches MOD at signing, worked from Items 5 and 7
| Scenario | Calculation | Paid to MOD Pizza |
|---|---|---|
| One restaurant, your first or second | $30,000 fee + $3,000 site design fee | $33,000 |
| Your fourth restaurant with a MOD Opening Team | $33,000 + about $15,000 Opening Team | about $48,000 |
| Area deal for 3 restaurants, at signing | $10,000 x 2 Development Fee + $33,000 first restaurant | $53,000 |
| Same deal, second restaurant (on schedule) | $30,000 fee minus $10,000 credit + $3,000 site design | $23,000 |
| Area deal for 10 restaurants, at signing | $10,000 x 9 Development Fee | $90,000 (Item 7 high end) |
The arithmetic ties out: the cover page’s $43,000 low for an area deal equals the $10,000 Development Fee plus $33,000, and the $138,000 high equals $90,000 plus $48,000. For how this fee level compares with other brands, the franchise initial investment research covers 2026 filings.
Which fees keep running once the restaurant opens?
A MOD franchisee pays a 5% Continuing Fee and 2% Marketing Fees on weekly Revenues every Wednesday for the prior week, and must spend at least 2% of Revenues on local marketing (1.5% across more than one restaurant). Marketing Fees can rise to 3% on 90 days’ written notice. Item 6 lists the rest, from a $20 monthly IT support charge to a 30% transfer fee.
| Item 6 fee | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Continuing Fee | 5% of weekly Revenues | Every week after opening; minimum $500 per week during a relocation closure |
| Marketing Fees | 2% of weekly Revenues, up to 3% | Every week, to the Marketing Fund |
| Local Marketing | At least 2% of Revenues (1.5% if more than one restaurant) | Spent locally; shortfall can be charged to the fund |
| IT Support Services | $20 per month | POS software and hardware support |
| Transfer, Relocation, Successor Fees | 30% of the then-current Initial Franchise Fee | On approved sale, move or renewal |
| New Management Staff Training | $500 per day plus travel | When you hire new managers |
| Audit | $2,000 to $5,000 estimated | Only if Revenues were understated by more than 2% |
| Late payments | $50 fee plus interest up to 18% per year | Past-due amounts |
| Development Schedule late opening | $1,000 per week, up to 26 weeks | Area developers who miss an opening date |
The percentage fees stack to 9% of Revenues before rent, food and labor (5% + 2% + 2%). Item 8 adds that required purchases from approved suppliers represent “approximately 90% to 95%” of what you buy to open and operate. The franchise royalty rates dataset shows where a 5% royalty sits among restaurant filings.
How many MOD restaurants opened and closed from 2021 to 2024?
From 2021 to 2023, MOD grew mainly through company stores: the company opened 21, 24 and 24 restaurants and closed 6, 2 and 4, while franchisees opened 6, 4 and 2 and ceased operating 4, 1 and 1 (Item 20, Tables 3 and 4). No franchised restaurant changed hands to a new owner in those three years (Table 2).
| Year | Franchised at year end | Franchised opened | Franchised closed or reacquired | Company-owned at year end | Company opened | Company closed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84 | 6 | 4 | 422 | 21 | 6 |
| 2022 | 86 | 4 | 2 (1 ceased, 1 reacquired) | 445 | 24 | 2 |
| 2023 | 87 | 2 | 1 | 465 | 24 | 4 |
| 2024 (reported) | 76 | not opened by us | 70 closures in total (all types) | 406 | not opened by us | see total |
Rows 2021 to 2023 come from the MOD FDD as amended September 6, 2024, Item 20; the full data is in mod_item20.csv. The 2024 row is Restaurant Business’s reading of the June 2025 filing, which we could not open, so treat it as reported rather than verified.
Company-owned restaurants made up 465 of 552 U.S. MOD Pizza units at December 31, 2023; franchised units grew by 3 in three years. Source: MOD Super Fast Pizza Franchising, LLC FDD, issued April 30, 2024, as amended September 6, 2024, Item 20, accessed November 8, 2026.
Franchised MOD openings fell from 6 in 2021 to 2 in 2023 while the company opened 24 a year in 2022 and 2023. Source: MOD Super Fast Pizza Franchising, LLC FDD, issued April 30, 2024, as amended September 6, 2024, Item 20, Tables 3 and 4, accessed November 8, 2026.
Item 20 is also where to find current and former franchisees to call: Exhibit A lists every franchised restaurant as of December 31, 2023, and Item 20 states that no franchisee signed a confidentiality clause in the last three fiscal years. For how MOD’s pattern compares with other chains, see our analysis of restaurant franchise closures.
What does an area development deal commit you to?
An area development agreement with MOD requires at least 2 restaurants, a nonrefundable Development Fee of $10,000 for each restaurant after the first, and a signed Franchise Agreement for the first unit on day one (Items 1 and 5). Missing the Development Schedule ends your right to keep developing the Territory, and a late opening costs $1,000 per week for up to 26 weeks (Items 6 and 12).
| Development term | What the FDD says | Item |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum commitment | At least two MOD Pizza Restaurants | Item 1 |
| Development Fee | $10,000 x restaurants, excluding the first; $10,000 to $90,000 for 2 to 10 | Items 5 and 7 |
| Fee credit | $10,000 applied to each later Initial Franchise Fee if on schedule | Item 5 |
| Territory | Drawn by streets, highways or county lines; cannot be altered during the term | Item 12 |
| Protected Area, single restaurant | Generally a one to two mile radius | Item 12 |
| Carve-outs | Airports, campuses, stadiums, hospitals and other Non-Traditional Locations | Item 12 |
| Non-compete after termination | 24 months, within the Territory or 10 miles of it or of any MOD Pizza Restaurant | Item 17 |
| Training before opening | Minimum four weeks: 8 classroom hours and 160 to 200 on-the-job hours | Item 11 |
Item 12 also states plainly that “you will not receive an exclusive territory”, because MOD may place restaurants at Non-Traditional Locations inside your area. Our area development agreements research compares development fees and schedules across 2026 filings.
New build, company-store purchase or multi-unit deal: which path matches your position?
Under the September 2024 amended FDD there are three ways in, all ending in the same Franchise Agreement: build a new restaurant, buy one of the company’s existing restaurants through the Purchase Agreement, or sign an area development agreement for 2 to 10 units. The right one depends on your capital, your appetite for a remodel and whether you can meet a schedule.
| If your situation is | Route in the FDD | Check before you sign |
|---|---|---|
| You have capital for $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 and want a new site of 2,600 to 2,900 square feet | Franchise Agreement (Exhibit C) | A landlord work letter that matches MOD’s standard; Item 7 note 4 nets out the tenant allowance |
| You want an operating restaurant with staff and sales history | Purchase Agreement (Exhibit J) plus a Franchise Agreement | Ask for the restaurant’s actual records, which Item 19 permits for an existing outlet; ask whether case-by-case fee relief (Item 6, note 1) applies; price any required remodel |
| You can fund 2 or more restaurants and hit opening dates | Area Development Agreement (Exhibit D) | Whether $10,000 per added restaurant is worth it if one opening slips past 26 weeks of $1,000 extensions |
| You live in a registration state such as Minnesota, New York or Washington | Any route | Whether the current FDD is registered there: the amended FDD lists those states as “Pending”, and CARDS shows withdrawal orders on both 2024 Minnesota filings |
| The franchisor cannot give you an FDD dated 2025 or later | Pause | The 2024 document’s Item 20 and Item 21 data are from fiscal 2023, before 70 reported closures in 2024 |
Buying a restaurant that a franchisor is shedding has its own checks, covered in our franchise resale research. Questions about a seller’s going-concern paragraph belong with a CPA; our franchisor financial health study lists what to read in Item 21. This page is general information, not legal, financial or investment advice.
Where do public MOD franchise figures disagree with the filings?
Three of the top five search results for this query publish MOD numbers that do not match either 2024 FDD version, and none mentions the July 2024 sale. The table below compares each claim with the primary document; competitor sites are described, not named.
| Claim in circulation | What the primary source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A cost guide updated in 2025 gives $859,000 to $1,247,000 | $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 in both 2024 versions | FDD Item 7 |
| A franchise data site shows unit revenue under an Item 19 heading | “We do not make any financial performance representations” | FDD Item 19 |
| Several pages state 512 locations with 89 franchised | 512 was MOD’s website count in July 2024; Item 20 shows 87 franchised at Dec 31, 2023 | USA TODAY; FDD Item 20 |
| A stats site cites a 2025 FDD with a lower investment range and 76 franchised units | No 2025 MOD FDD is on Minnesota CARDS; 76 matches Restaurant Business’s report of the June 2025 filing | Minnesota CARDS; Restaurant Business |
| A stats site lists 208 training hours | 8 classroom hours plus 160 to 200 on-the-job hours, minimum four weeks | FDD Item 11 |
If you want help comparing MOD with other fast-casual pizza systems, our pizza franchise FDD comparison lines MOD up against seven other brands on fees and supply rules.
How we compiled this
We opened two MOD Pizza disclosure documents on Minnesota CARDS on November 8, 2026 (issued April 30, 2024, and the same document as amended September 6, 2024) and compared them item by item. We added dated announcements and reporting on the July 2024 sale and refranchising, the MOD website, and the FTC Franchise Rule text. A Wisconsin search for the June 2025 filing was blocked, so its figures appear only as reported, and we excluded all sales and unit-revenue data.
Frequently asked questions
Is MOD Pizza a franchise?
Yes. MOD Super Fast Pizza Franchising, LLC has offered franchises since 2013, but most restaurants are company-run: 87 of 552 U.S. restaurants were franchised at December 31, 2023, under Item 20 of the MOD FDD as amended September 6, 2024. Since that amendment, buyers can also purchase an existing company restaurant from MOD’s affiliate.
How much is a MOD Pizza franchise?
Item 7 of the September 2024 amended FDD estimates $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 for one new MOD Pizza restaurant, including the $30,000 initial franchise fee, $445,640 to $613,337 of leasehold improvements and $30,000 to $50,000 of three-month working funds. Rent and land are excluded. An area deal for 2 to 10 restaurants raises the first-unit total to $1,011,723 to $1,393,634.
Who owns MOD Pizza now?
Elite Pizza Holdings, LLC, a Delaware company formed July 3, 2024, acquired all equity of MOD Super Fast Pizza Holdings, LLC on July 10, 2024, according to Item 1 of the amended FDD. The franchisor is affiliated through Elite Restaurant Group with the Marie Callender’s and Slater’s 50/50 franchise programs. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Is MOD Pizza going out of business?
MOD is still operating, but it has shrunk. The company confirmed 44 closures in the first half of 2024, and Restaurant Business reported 482 U.S. units at the end of 2024 and about 454 by November 2025. The 2024 FDD’s auditor flagged substantial doubt about the parent’s ability to continue as a going concern (Item 21).
Can you buy an existing MOD Pizza restaurant?
Yes, under the September 6, 2024 amendment. Item 1 adds a Purchase Agreement (Exhibit J) to buy a restaurant’s assets from affiliate MOD Super Fast Pizza, LLC at a negotiated price, and Item 6 allows case-by-case fee relief for buyers taking over restaurants under challenging circumstances. Ask for the outlet’s actual records, which Item 19 permits.
How much do MOD Pizza franchise owners make?
MOD does not publish earnings data: Item 19 of both 2024 FDD versions states it makes no financial performance representations. Owner income depends on sales against the 5% Continuing Fee, 2% Marketing Fees and 2% local marketing in Item 6, plus rent and labor. Ask current franchisees listed in Exhibit A, as the FTC’s buyer guide suggests.
Does MOD Pizza offer franchise financing?
No. Item 10 of the MOD FDD states it “does not offer direct or indirect financing” and guarantees no note, lease or obligation. Item 7 note 6 says furniture, fixtures and equipment ($416,583 to $456,797) may be financed through a bank or leased, so buyers arrange outside loans for the $1,001,223 to $1,301,134 total.
Sources
- MOD Super Fast Pizza Franchising, LLC, Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 30, 2024, as amended September 6, 2024, Minnesota Department of Commerce CARDS document 32343-202409-05, accessed November 8, 2026.
- MOD Super Fast Pizza Franchising, LLC, Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 30, 2024, Minnesota Department of Commerce CARDS document 31547-202404-08, accessed November 8, 2026.
- Minnesota Department of Commerce, CARDS franchise registrations search, “MOD Pizza”, accessed November 8, 2026.
- 16 CFR 436.5, Disclosure items, eCFR, accessed November 8, 2026.
- Federal Trade Commission, A Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Franchise, accessed November 8, 2026.
- Restaurant Dive, “Mod Pizza acquired by Elite Restaurant Group”, July 10, 2024, accessed November 8, 2026.
- USA TODAY (via Yahoo Finance), MOD Pizza new owner and closures, July 11, 2024, accessed November 8, 2026.
- National Franchise Sales release, “New Owner of MOD Pizza Engages National Franchise Sales for Refranchising Effort”, September 12, 2024, RestaurantNews.com, accessed November 8, 2026.
- Restaurant Dive, MOD Pizza refranchising, September 13, 2024, accessed November 8, 2026.
- Restaurant Business, “MOD Pizza continues to shrink amid warnings about the chain’s long-term health”, November 5, 2025, read via Wayback Machine capture of March 21, 2026, accessed November 8, 2026.
- MOD Pizza homepage and About page, MOD Super Fast Pizza, LLC, accessed November 8, 2026.