top of page

Mark and Betsy, owners of The Pizza Factory

The Pizza Factory

Franchise is fast food family affair

 

By Mike R. Jackson, CPP, CSM

 

  The desire to own a food franchise is part of the American entrepreneurial spirit. It takes determination and passion to reach franchise success.

  Finding someone who shares the commitment to work alongside you, makes that dream a reality.

  Mike Rodriguez and Betsy Clemenson attended Murrieta Valley High School but didn't meet until Mike was hired at the Pizza Factory in Murrieta in 1999. They were both 18.

Betsy was a counter girl. Two years later, Mike was hired as a delivery driver. Little did they know the job would influence the rest of their lives.

 

Kindred Spirits 

 

  Betsy worked at the Murrieta and Temecula stores for seven and a half years. Mike worked at the Temecula store for five years. Except for a short time away from the company, their personal relationship grew. 

 

In October, 2013, the couple discussed purchasing their own Pizza Factory franchise. They celebrated their purchase o St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2014. 

  The new owners underwent training at Saladino's, an Italian sausage factory and food supplier, in Fresno. The distributor provides space for Pizza Factory staff to conduct food preparation training.

   The couple went to manage a Pizza  

Factory restaurant in Hesperia. In the ensuing months, Mike and Betsy explored Riverside County to find a suitable location for their restaurant. 

  They searched in the City of Moreno Valley and finally chose the Stater Bros. Plaza, at the corner of Ironwood and Pigeon Pass.

   The location required extensive renovations to satisfy the County's food establishment requirements. Mike and Betsy did much of the work themselves but said they really enjoyed doing it, knowing this was their own business. The Pizza Factory opened its doors in June.

  The couple received a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Moreno Valley and the office of State Representative Richard D. Roth at its August Grand Opening. 

   The Pizza Factory is 30,000 square feet and has six flat-screen televisions. The best-selling pizza is the Big “M” Pizza, which contains pepperoni, ham, mushroom, green, peppers, onions, and bacon. The all-meat pizza and barbecue wings are also popular menu items. 

  The Pizza Factory employs students from Vista Del Lago High School, Rancho Verde High School, and Riverside Community College – Moreno Valley Campus.

   

Family Success

 

  Building a successful restaurant business is a challenge, especially in the first two or three years, even with a well-supported franchise. Having prior experience in the franchise you select goes a long way towards achieving success when you purchase your own business. 

   Mike and Betsy say their personal life and business are thriving. Both share a strong commitment to each other to their kids, son, Devin, 10, who plays in the school band, and daughter, Sloane, 6, who dances ballet and hip-hip.

   The couple occasionally take their children to work and show them how to make pizzas. If one of them cannot be home, a grandparent is not fat away to step in. 

 

Business Challenges

 

   Mike and Betsy are enjoying their role 

as small business owners and entrepreneurs. They say they have great support from the franchise owner and have plans for increasing amenities at the restaurant to accommodate their customers. 

   Betsy said although she and Mike have worked with the franchise for years, they are still learning a lot as owners of their own store. 

   She said they have an awesome staff and she enjoys training and working with them. She also enjoys the customer services aspect of the business and the interaction. 

   The only thing she said which surprised her, and isn't so much fun, is the amount of paperwork that is required that she is now responsible for, such as filing quarterly tax statements. Fortunately, she has assistance with all of this. 

 

Community Commitment

 

   The community minded owners sponsor six Little League teams, group, special events, and fundraisers for the school district. The success of their restaurant has inspired the couple to buy a second franchise. ~

bottom of page