We the Pizza

The vendor opportunity at We the Pizza

We the Pizza presents a micro-opportunity for software vendors. The system consists of only 5 total units, with 3 of those being franchised locations. This is not a volume play; the total addressable market for a vendor is limited to these 3 franchised outlets, plus the 2 company-owned stores if the franchisor is open to adopting new technology at the corporate level. The brand operates in the quick-service restaurant segment and is headquartered in Virginia. Average unit volume (AUV) is not disclosed in the most recent FDD. The royalty fee is 5.5% of gross sales, and the initial franchise term is 10 years.

Who controls software purchasing

Technology purchasing decisions are highly centralized. The FDD lists the following executives at the headquarters: Harvey H. Mendelsohn (Chief Executive Officer), Catherine Mendelsohn (Chief Operating Officer), Micheline Mendelsohn Luhn (Chief Marketing Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Officer), and Evangelos “Spike” Mendelsohn (President of Culinary Development). For a software vendor, the primary points of contact are likely CEO Harvey H. Mendelsohn and COO Catherine Mendelsohn, who oversee operations and strategic decisions. There is no dedicated CIO or CTO listed, which is typical for a chain of this size. The operator footprint is not mapped in our corpus, meaning no multi-unit franchisees are identified who might exert independent purchasing influence. This is a classic HQ-controlled sales environment where you must win over the founding team.

Mandated and current tech stack

The 2024 FDD is explicit about the technology franchisees must use. Foodtec Solutions Inc. is mandated for both the point of sale system and the point of purchase system. This is a critical gatekeeper for any vendor selling adjacent or integrated solutions. Any software that needs to integrate with the POS, such as loyalty, online ordering, or delivery management, must be compatible with Foodtec’s infrastructure. The FDD does not list any other mandated or recommended technology vendors, leaving the rest of the tech stack—such as accounting, HR, or inventory management—potentially open, though unconfirmed.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

The FDD does not provide an extract for Item 8, so the formal procurement model regarding designated or approved suppliers is unknown. This lack of disclosure means a vendor must inquire directly about supplier qualification processes. Regarding contract timing, the initial franchise agreement runs for 10 years. The renewal terms, outlined in Item 17, allow a franchisee in good standing to sign a successor agreement for two additional terms of 5 years each. However, renewal is conditional: the franchisor can require a remodel or refurbishment, and the successor agreement may contain materially different terms, though fees will not exceed those charged to similarly situated franchisees. This creates potential trigger points for technology evaluation during remodel periods or at the 10-year and 15-year marks, though with only 3 franchised units, these events will be rare.

How to read the We the Pizza FDD

The full 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document provides the legal and operational details a vendor needs to assess fit. It includes the franchise agreement, fee structure, and obligations of both franchisor and franchisee. For software sales, the critical items are Item 11 (franchisor’s assistance, advertising, computer systems, and training), which lists the mandated Foodtec systems, and Item 17 (renewal, termination, transfer, and dispute resolution), which outlines the contract lifecycle. The document is filed with state franchise regulators, and you can review it directly in the embedded viewer on this page. For a ranked target list of franchise brands that match your software, talk to FranCloud.