Pie Five plans entry in the Bluegrass State

Pie Five Pizza Co. has awarded up to 10 franchise units to restaurateur Mark Mehrizi to expand the brand in Kentucky. According to a news release, he and business partner Ford Lankford plan to open their first Pie Five in the Lexington market in the summer of 2015.

Mehrizi has been the franchise owner of Frankfort’s Pizza Inn restaurant since 1991.

“As a bustling college town whose health care, retail and cultural centers serve the entire Bluegrass Region, Lexington is the ideal market for fast casual pizza,” Mehrizi said in the release. “I have no doubt that this area will immediately embrace Pie Five and its ingenious approach to serving handcrafted, freshly made, individualized pizzas, salads and desserts.”

A University of Kentucky alumnus, Lankford brings years of financial expertise to the enterprise.

“Pie Five is growing strong from coast to coast and now that we’ve partnered with two of Lexington’s finest, we’re ready to introduce our concept to the people of the Commonwealth,” said CEO Randy Gier. “Mark has an exceptional track record at Pizza Inn, and both he and Ford understand our brand values and share our passion for providing impeccable customer service. We’re honored to have them both as members of our franchise team.”