OneRyan Global Acquires Majority Stake in Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, Plans Nontraditional Expansion

OneRyan Global, the family investment office of tax attorney and investor G. Brint Ryan, acquired a majority stake in Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, the chain announced in a press release. Terms were not disclosed. The deal signals a push to grow the brand through nontraditional formats while keeping corporate operations and senior management largely intact.

The buyers had previously invested in Mr. Gatti’s and will take board leadership roles, with G. Brint Ryan named chairman and Amanda S. Ryan serving as vice chairwoman. Mr. Gatti’s said its corporate headquarters will remain in Fort Worth and that existing senior management, including CEO Jim Phillips and CFO KC Mann, will stay in place. The buyers do not anticipate immediate changes to senior management, emphasizing continuity for franchise operators and staff.

Mr. Gatti’s currently has more than 200 units open or in development. The chain has been exploring formats beyond traditional dine-in and takeout, including c-store prototypes and planned rollouts inside Walmart stores. OneRyan Global said it plans to support growth into those formats, framing the transaction as a franchisee- and operator-led acquisition intended to accelerate expansion without disrupting day-to-day operations.

For restaurant workers and franchise employees, the transaction points to near-term stability but possible midterm shifts in job structures. Expansion into c-stores and Walmart outlets typically involves smaller footprints, different service models, and extended hours, which can change staffing levels and shift patterns for front-of-house and back-of-house crews. Store managers and hourly employees may see new scheduling demands, cross-training requirements, and alterations to supply and inventory practices tied to retailer partnerships.

Franchisees could benefit from owners with operational experience, since an operator-led ownership group may prioritize practical support like training, streamlined back-office systems, and unit-level profitability. At the same time, franchise agreements and local labor arrangements will determine whether benefits such as health coverage, tip pooling, and pay scales change as the brand expands into retailer and convenience formats.

Keeping the corporate headquarters in Fort Worth preserves a central point for training, payroll, and franchise support, which could mean continued corporate jobs in areas such as operations, marketing, and finance. Yet many jobs will remain local, controlled by franchise operators or partner retailers, making the impact on wages and benefits variable across markets.

The key developments to watch are the timing and scope of pilot stores in c-stores and Walmart, any updates to franchise disclosure documents, and hiring announcements for new-format locations. For crew members, managers, and franchisees, the acquisition offers expansion-driven opportunity coupled with the uncertainty that comes from adapting pizza service to nontraditional retail environments.