Twisted Flavors of Chicago’s Pizza

Do you ever get bored of the usual flavors on the pizza options available? A pizza place that truly delivers what they claim to, a pizza with a twist. Let us talk about the twisted Flavors of Chicago’s Pizza to Alex Idrees, Director. This joint packed with surprising flavors from across the globe will keep you wanting more.

1. How did you enter in the franchise business?

I am a Leadership and Business Coach for Immigrant Entrepreneurs but I started my career in IT/Business Consulting. I started working more with Immigrant Entrepreneurs and many foreign entrepreneurs who wanted to start a business in the US. So I had researched many business opportunities for my clients and it was during that time, I concluded that the best business model for anyone to start and grow is “Franchising Business”. Ever since I had been working in the Franchising world.

2. Where and how did the idea of your concept come from?

” Pizza Twist ” brand is a brainchild of Mr. Harpreet Dahyia who is the CEO of the brand. He is also an IT Consultant who had done his share of traveling and consulting. Being a foodie, he always wanted to start some food business. As you know Pizza is the most commonly ordered take out and delivery food and he was not impressed with the same boring pizza scene all over the US. So that is where he got the idea that he wants to start a Pizza place that won’t be boring and will have ” Flavors “. Therefore, the word ” Twist ” as we wanted to bring a ” Twist ” to the Pizza scene in the US and now around the world.

3. What inspired the brand name?

As I mentioned above ” Pizza Twist ” is inspired by the lack of innovation that the pizza industry has seen in the last 60 years. If you look at some of the pizza concepts that are everywhere in the US were started back in the 60s and quite frankly, I can not tell the difference between their products. So our goal was to bring innovation to the industry and that is what we call ” The Twist ” Twist being the flavors from around the globe since Pizza is no more ” Western ” or ” Italian ” food anymore and I say that very humbly. No disrespect to Italy 🙂

4. What is the story behind the brand’s logo?

Brand Logo is again reflecting the TWIST as you notice our Pizza slice is not a regular pizza slice. It has these abstract curves and angles that reflect the ” Twist ” in our pizzas that you should expect when you eat our food.

5. What makes your brand different from your competitors?

Like I said. We are TWISTED. Firstly, It is the flavors from around the globe and not the same old chicken or pepperoni and cheese. We have flavors from the Latin world to the Asian Rendang flavor and everything in between.

Then we have made Pizza be a food that you can indulge in without feeling guilty about calories. We have 120-159 calories per slice as compared to traditional 300 Calories per slice. So that is healthier ” Twist ” to the Pizza.

We have gluten-free, eggless, non-dairy options. Technically, if you are having our vegetarian pizza, it is by default a vegan pizza also.

Our crusts include traditional deep dish Chicago style pizzas as well as a thin crust, hand-tossed, cauliflower crust, keto crust, etc

We are an environmentally responsible brand and continuously innovating our services to be more environmentally friendly, be it using biodegradable or using E-Scooter deliveries in Bali to reduce our carbon footprint. We are always looking for ways to be more nature friendly.

At last but not the least, We are a certified Halal brand so if you are a Muslim and tired of ordering only Vegetarian pizza, We got you covered. Our Kebab Pizza is my favorite.

6. What are the essential qualities that you look for in a franchisee?

1- Passion 2- Commitment 3- Persistence

7. How long does it take, on average, for your franchisee to realize their investment?

On average just shy of two years.

8. What was the major challenge you faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?

” Change ” One thing you learn very quickly in the business world is that – Change is the only constant. With Corvid-19 we all know that world can change very quickly and we have to know how to deal with it. How did I overcome, well here is a myth buster… It is NOT the FITTEST who survives. But the one who is MOST ADAPTABLE to the change. So you do not have to be the strongest to overcome challenges. But it is your ” Passion ” ” Commitment ” and ” Persistence ” that carries you through hard times and that is exactly why those are the three main personal attributes we look for in our franchisees. At last, but not the least, ” Having Faith ” You have to have faith in yourself and in your creator to carry you through. Do the right things and have faith for the best.

8.1. What is your best achievement?

I would not list the successes we have had in the very rapid growth of our brand but I will say our best achievement is in being able to give back and help the community during the hard times. We were planning to open our first international locations in Bali, Indonesia, Toronto, Canada and USA in Q1 of 2020. Despite all the investment and preparation, we are still waiting for the situation to get better so we can open. However we still were able to construct and deliver a hospital for Corona patients in India. In addition we are feeding 3000 families in Bali, Indonesia during Ramadan who lost jobs due to this Corvid 19 situation. We are also donating food to many food banks and feeding front line workers in health care, law enforcement, emergency workers, etc. So to me just being able to do that even when we are hurting in business is the best achievement. Having grown with franchising has helped us get here.

9. How does your business day start?

With my morning prayers and that starts early. Once I am done with my morning routine, I look at things I have planned for the day. Usually most of my thinking and creative work starts while most people are sleeping and that is when I get my planning work done. By 9am , the regular business world opens, I am already through half of my day.

10. What was your best moment throughout your franchise career?

When I decided to dedicate myself to ” Pizza Twist ”

11. Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

To put ourselves on the global map covering every continent with people on it. Cross 500 locations. Create more opportunities for people to live the American dream. My philosophy is to teach them how to fish and feed them for life so I want to teach more and more people about franchising through our brand and making them financially free in the process.

12. Any tips you want to impart to our readers who want to be in the franchise industry?

Do not think twice about any other business model. Franchising model works and it has been proven millions times over. Now your focus should be not on whether to go franchising or not but to find what brand is where you can make franchising work for you.. My advice would be to get into brand that speaks to you in terms of your values and passion and rest is easy. Franchising comes with training and system so be a good student and enjoy the ride to financial freedom. If food is your passion, then don’t look further than ” Pizza Twist ” talk to me and I promise you will want to be part of our team.

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