Mr Gatti’s Pizza, the Texas-born pizza and entertainment brand, announced Wednesday that Dallas-based OneRyan Global, the family office of businessman and philanthropist G. Brint Ryan, has acquired a controlling interest in the Mr Gatti’s brand. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The acquisition follows OneRyan’s purchase of the corporate-owned Mr Gatti’s restaurant at South Park Meadows in Austin in October. That transaction completed the company’s transition to a 100% franchised system, concluding the re-franchising of all corporate-owned locations. OneRyan also owns the Mr Gatti’s Family Entertainment Center in Big Spring.

As part of the transaction, Ryan will serve as chairman and Amanda S. Ryan will serve as vice chairwoman of the Board of Managers.

Mr Gatti’s corporate headquarters will remain in Fort Worth, and the existing leadership team will remain in place, including Jim Phillips as CEO and KC Mann as CFO. No changes to the senior management team are anticipated, according to a press release.

“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,” said Amanda Ryan, CEO of OneRyan, in a statement. “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.”

Mr Gatti’s Pizza was originally launched as The Pizza Place in Stephenville in 1964. Founder James Eure later rebranded — adopting the game “Gattie” in homage to his wife’s maiden name — after relocating to Austin in 1969. The brand has since expanded its dining-and-entertainment model across more than 200 active and forthcoming locations in Texas and the Southeastern U.S.

More information about Mr Gatti’s Pizza franchise opportunities is available at https://gattispizzafranchise.com.

“Brint is an exceptional leader with enormous respect for the heritage of Mr. Gatti’s,” said Phillips. “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.”