Mr Gatti’s Pizza announced that Dallas-based OneRyan Global LLC, the family office of businessman and philanthropist G. Brint Ryan, has acquired a controlling interest in the Texas-born pizza and family entertainment brand. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The deal builds on OneRyan’s prior involvement with the chain, following its purchase last October of the corporate-owned Mr Gatti’s restaurant at South Park Meadows in Austin, a transaction the company said completed its transition to a 100% franchised system after refranchising all corporate-owned locations. OneRyan also owns a Mr Gatti’s Family Entertainment Center in Big Spring, Texas.
As part of the ownership change, G. Brint Ryan will serve as Chairman of the Board of Managers and Amanda S. Ryan will serve as Vice Chairwoman. Mr Gatti’s corporate headquarters will remain in Fort Worth, and the leadership team is expected to stay in place, including Chief Executive Officer Jim Phillips and Chief Financial Officer KC Mann. The company said it does not anticipate changes to senior management.
Founded in 1964 in Stephenville, Texas—originally as The Pizza Place—Mr Gatti’s later relocated to Austin in 1969 and rebranded to “Gatti,” a reference to the maiden name of founder James Eure’s wife. The brand said it expanded rapidly in the 1970s as it combined dining and entertainment under one roof and now operates, or has in development, more than 200 active and forthcoming locations across Texas and the Southeastern U.S.
OneRyan Global was founded in 2018 by Amanda S. Ryan and manages investments and operating interests across areas including real estate, hospitality, private equity and other businesses, according to the company.
KEY QUOTES
“Our deep appreciation for the Mr. Gatti’s brand, combined with our firsthand experience operating locations across multiple markets, made this acquisition a natural and exciting opportunity. Mr. Gatti’s has built a category-leading platform in dining and family entertainment, supported by an exceptional network of franchisees. We look forward to helping the brand continue to grow and thrive.”
Amanda S. Ryan, CEO, OneRyan Global
“Brint is an exceptional leader with enormous respect for the heritage of Mr. Gatti’s. He brings a compelling vision for the brand’s future, along with the expertise needed to help us reach our full potential. We are excited to have his leadership both as an owner-operator and as Chairman as we enter this next phase of growth.”
Jim Phillips, CEO, Mr Gatti’s Pizza
