Fredric "Rick" Rosati, CEO of the national pizza restaurant group Rosati's Pizza, died unexpectedly June 15 due to natural causes at his home in Cave Creek, Arizona, the chain announced Monday night. He was 70.

Rosati was the driving force to franchise the Rosati's Pizza concept in 1979, a company statement said. He opened his first restaurant at the age of 20 in Arlington Heights and went on to establish locations across the U.S., including the company's first Arizona restaurant in 1986.