Former Restaurant Industry Pioneer Transitions into Multiple Mountain Mike's Pizza Business Ownership
Jim Smith, a seasoned restaurant industry veteran, has made a significant impact on the Mountain Mike's Pizza franchise in Oregon. With decades of experience under his belt, Smith has held key positions with Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, Starbucks, Mimi's Cafe, and Tava Kitchen.
Smith's journey with Mountain Mike's Pizza began in 2017, when he purchased a franchise in southern Oregon. At the time, his first Mountain Mike's store was struggling, with sales hovering around $567,000. However, under Smith's management, the store saw a remarkable turnaround, with sales soaring to $1.1 million within a year.
Smith's success didn't stop at a single store. He saw the potential in Mountain Mike's Pizza and expanded his business to multi-unit ownership. Today, he operates four Mountain Mike's Pizza stores, with more on the way. Corporate has even brought him on as a development agent for the state of Oregon.
Smith's strategy for growth has been twofold. He has focused on driving customers to the lunch buffet to increase sales, and he has invested in delivery cars, wrapping them to increase visibility and sales.
In addition to his Mountain Mike's Pizza ventures, Smith also has a passion project, Cascades Coffee House, located in a commercial building he bought in Roseburg, Oregon. The coffee house, which does not have a drive-through, provides a place for neighbors to sit down and connect, as there were no such places within half a mile.
The synergies between Cascades Coffee House and Mountain Mike's Pizza are evident. The coffee business is heavy in the morning, while Mountain Mike's offers a lunch buffet and is busy during dinner time.
Smith's approach to business is people-centric. He spends time putting the right people in the right place to drive his business forward, focusing on restaurant leaders and the right culture and talent to get things done.
With his growing business, Smith has the cash flow to do additional things without driving a lot of additional debt, and the opportunity to be more connected to broader communities. As he continues to expand his Mountain Mike's Pizza franchise, Smith is not only growing his own business but also contributing to the growth of the Mountain Mike's Pizza brand.
- The Mountain Mike's Pizza franchise in Oregon has experienced significant growth since Jim Smith, an entrepreneur with a rich background in the food-and-drink industry, took over a struggling store in 2017.
- Jim Smith's successful strategy for Mountain Mike's Pizza has been twofold: driving customers to the lunch buffet and investing in delivery cars to boost sales.
- Beyond his Mountain Mike's Pizza ventures, Jim Smith also has a passion project, Cascades Coffee House, which provides a community space in Roseburg, Oregon.
- The synergies between Cascades Coffee House and Mountain Mike's Pizza are evident, with the coffee business thriving in the morning while Mountain Mike's offers a lunch buffet and is busy during dinner.
- As Jim Smith's Mountain Mike's Pizza franchise continues to expand, he is not only building his own business but also contributing to the growth of the Mountain Mike's Pizza brand, leveraging his success in entrepreneurship, finance, and business development.
