2009
7
$372,620
$49,500
$892,313
No
Smokin' Oak Wood-Fired Pizza Franchise
Where Fast Casual Meets Self-Pour Taproom Innovation
Combining fast casual, wood-fired pizza with a self-pour taproom wall is creating serious buzz for Smokin' Oak Wood-Fired Pizza. We're transforming the guest experience in the fast casual pizza space.
Here’s what sets us apart:
We roast all meats fresh in our wood-fired oven every morning
Vegetables are hand-chopped throughout the day—never pre-cut
Our sauces and dough are made in-house with no shortcuts
We’re so fresh, there are no freezers in our restaurants
The wood-fired oven is our only cooking appliance
But the real game-changer? Our self-pour taproom wall—a first in fast casual pizza. Guests place their order, receive an RFID-enabled bracelet, and head to the taproom wall (with 20–50 taps depending on the location). From craft and domestic beers to wines and cocktails, they can pour an ounce or a pint—charged by the ounce—and cash out at the end.
This model is incredibly efficient:
Food COGS average 15–17%
Alcohol margins reach up to 80%
Cross-training reduces labor costs
The self-pour taproom minimizes staffing needs
With a strong Item 19 and excellent franchise validation, Smokin’ Oak is attracting serious attention.
We’ve been recognized for our innovation:
Named a Top Brand in the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers and Shakers (2022)
Ranked Top 3 Emerging Brand in Pizza Today (2023)
Honored at the 2023 International Pizza Expo
If you're looking for a fresh, exciting franchise opportunity with high margins, low labor, and strong support—Smokin' Oak Wood-Fired Pizza is the one to watch.
Business Features
A cross between fast-casual and sit down dining but at a fast-casual price point, Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza is one of the originators and innovators of the fast-casual wood-fired pizza concept. At Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza, we make our proprietary dough every day, we roast our own meats, and we even chop our own fresh vegetables. In fact, our food is so fresh we don't even have a freezer.
Established: 2009, franchising since 2017
First Unit Franchised: 2017
Franchised Units: 7 open, 3 under construction (opening in 2025)
Company Owned Units: 1
Quick-Fire Facts
Upscale Fast Casual Atmosphere
Artisan Hand-Made from Scratch Pizzas baked in a 900-Degree Wood-Fired Oven
Self-pour taproom enables Guests to pour their own drink, choosing from a wide variety of beers, wines and mixed cocktails (varies by location)
Open Floor plan Experiential Customer in Restaurant Dining
Sit Down Dining at a Fast Casual Price Point
Strong Item 19: 19.4% COGS, 20.1% Net Margin
Franchising for 4 Years, Available markets
Strong Training Program
Local neighborhood feel with true Italian Cuisine authenticity
Staffing:
12-18 Total Employees (mix of FT/PT)
Cross-Training: All team members are cross-trained on multiple positions, which helps reduce labor
costs and increase efficiencies.
Staffing Levels: The total number of employees required for each shift varies from 2-3 for slower periods
to 6-9 for busier periods.
States Registered In: All
Canada Franchises: No
International Franchises: No
Financial Assistance Provided: Yes
Site Selection Assistance: Yes
Lease Negotiation Assistance: Yes
Recruiting Assistance: Yes
Co-Operative Advertising: No
Up to 10 days of on-site training before, during and after grand opening.
Support:
Initial Training: Two weeks of comprehensive training for you and your General Manager (if applicable) at our flagship restaurant.
Grand Opening: Our Franchise Support Team provides up to 10 days of onsite support before and after your grand opening, assisting in all aspects of your franchise business.
Comprehensive Operations Manual: The Manual addresses every aspect of the franchise business, from Daily Operations to Human Resources to Advertising & Marketing.
Staff Training:
Staffing Plan, Recruiting, Hiring and Training Protocols
General Manager Training / Access to Manager Search Firms
Additional staff training during our onsite support visit at your franchise location
Real Estate Support:
Market research, competitive analysis, and site selection assistance provided by our national real estate
company
Lease negotiation advisement and recommended lease guidelines
Ideal Candidate
• Business owner looking to diversify their portfolio
• Looking for “pride of ownership” model
• Great management skills
• Passion for food and people
• No restaurant experience required
Role of the Owner:
Opportunities for:
•Hands-on Owner/Operator
•Semi-absentee Ownership
Responsibilities:
•Oversee the manager
•Marketing & Community Involvement
•Collaborate with HQ
•Payroll and back office responsibilities.
•Can outsource if needed
•Roles for GM or Owner/Operator:
•Inventory Management
•Labor Management
