For the last 18 years Jeff Miceli, founder of Mici Italian, has been on a mission to solve an issue plaguing the $47b pizza industry ? speed and quality. While the vast majority of pizza restaurants can own one ? he wanted to own both.

Now, with six ? and soon to be seven ? Colorado-based restaurants, a systemwide AUV of $1.2m, an award shelf full to the brim, and an operations model that celebrates speed, quality and pizza makers ? from their first baked pie to their thousandth ? the brand is preparing for national growth through franchising.