Overview
Wayne La Vigne, WHATA LOTTA Pizza’s founder and Chairman, began working in restaurants as a young boy. His favorite food was pizza and he had always dreamed of owning his own pizzeria.
During the summer of 1989, Wayne La Vigne and his wife Bonnie decided to sell everything they owned, cash in their insurance and max out their credit cards. They drove their ’66 Chevy Step van for 3 weeks, with their 2 young sons Michael and Brian, from Michigan to Orange County, California to open a pizzeria.
The La Vigne family opened their first store in September 1989 to pursue their goal of offering the best pizzas at the lowest price possible regardless of what the competition was doing. During the next two years they began opening additional stores in Orange County.
The family held concept has successfully expanded to its current level today. Even with fluctuations in the economy, WHATA LOTTA Pizza not only prevailed, but has experienced record sales despite increased competition.
The WHATA LOTTA Pizza slogan “BETTER TASTE… BETTER PRICE” is becoming increasingly recognized and appreciated by long standing and new customers alike.
Our first franchisee has enjoyed continuous growth in sales and profitability since opening in 2000.
Wayne, his wife Bonnie and family followed their dream. Wayne said “We made the decision to share that dream with others by offering franchising opportunities to individuals who share our passion.”
During the summer of 1989, Wayne La Vigne and his wife Bonnie decided to sell everything they owned, cash in their insurance and max out their credit cards. They drove their ’66 Chevy Step van for 3 weeks, with their 2 young sons Michael and Brian, from Michigan to Orange County, California to open a pizzeria.
The La Vigne family opened their first store in September 1989 to pursue their goal of offering the best pizzas at the lowest price possible regardless of what the competition was doing. During the next two years they began opening additional stores in Orange County.
The family held concept has successfully expanded to its current level today. Even with fluctuations in the economy, WHATA LOTTA Pizza not only prevailed, but has experienced record sales despite increased competition.
The WHATA LOTTA Pizza slogan “BETTER TASTE… BETTER PRICE” is becoming increasingly recognized and appreciated by long standing and new customers alike.
Our first franchisee has enjoyed continuous growth in sales and profitability since opening in 2000.
Wayne, his wife Bonnie and family followed their dream. Wayne said “We made the decision to share that dream with others by offering franchising opportunities to individuals who share our passion.”
Products & Services
Better Taste comes from using the finest ingredients cooked to perfection.
Our pizzas--made to order using only the best ingredients.
Our Mission is to prepare, cook and serve our best pizza every time, in a pleasant, clean, helpful environment in the shortest period possible by way of the friendliest and most considerate service we are capable of giving. All while maintaining the lowest prices available.
BETTER TASTE… BETTER PRICE is not just a slogan at Whata Lotta Pizza! It is our commitment to the following principles:
Our pizzas--made to order using only the best ingredients.
- We make our dough FRESH DAILY in the store,
- We make our sauce FRESH DAILY in the store,
- We grate our cheese FRESH DAILY in the store,
- We cut our vegetables FRESH DAILY in the store.
- We have NO microwaves in our stores
- WE have NO freezers in our stores.
Our Mission is to prepare, cook and serve our best pizza every time, in a pleasant, clean, helpful environment in the shortest period possible by way of the friendliest and most considerate service we are capable of giving. All while maintaining the lowest prices available.
BETTER TASTE… BETTER PRICE is not just a slogan at Whata Lotta Pizza! It is our commitment to the following principles:
- WE ONLY USE THE FINEST, FRESH INGREDIENTS
- WE ONLY MAKE OUR PIZZAS TO ORDER
Training & Support
Site Selection: Selection of an ideal location for your WHATA LOTTA Pizza is critical. While we do not find your site for you we are ready to assist you in locating your site. You can use your own broker or interview one from our approved list. Our real estate team member will evaluate the sites you choose based on demographics, market data and site inspection to determine its viability. While we can’t guarantee any site will be great we can eliminate those that provide a less than optimum chance for success. Our real estate team members have years of experience in quick service restaurant site location.Lease Negotiation: Your broker can handle the negotiations with your prospective landlord and help you better understand the process. We will review your offer and lease terms and may suggest revisions to make your lease more viable. We always recommend that you consult your attorney before signing a lease.
Store Design: We will provide you with a complete facilities manual that will enable your architect to develop plans that meet our specifications and criteria. Our equipment lists include the contact information for vendors who have agreed discount prices to WHATA LOTTA Pizza franchisees.
Training: Your training will begin within days of joining the WHATA LOTTA Pizza family (with a mutually-agreed schedule) with our 2 week hands on training in a store. You will learn every aspect of the operation from dough management to cleaning and maintenance. It is informative, effective and fun!
All of our support services and tools are designed to be educational as well as effective. At every step you will learn more about the WHATA LOTTA Pizza concept, our processes from site location to employee motivation.
Your in-store training will be reinforced when our Grand Opening team arrives at your new WHATA LOTTA Pizza. They will assist you in final set-up, training your employees and give you refresher training. Our routine visits to your store are to help you keep your business running as smoothly and profitable as possible.
Marketing: Our branding and marketing team provide direction in the overall marketing activities of the company. You will receive our standard Point of Purchase materials and ad layouts as well as proven methods you can use to build your store. They will work with you to assist in your local marketing efforts.
Whata Lotta Dough Card: Our Gift and Loyalty Card program is designed to increase repeat business through customer rewards. Our gift card can be used at any Whata Lotta location and for online orders. Gift Cards funds can be replenished online as well.
Online Ordering: Customers may order online, from their cell phone or PDA at any Whata Lotta for pick-up right away or up to 21 days in advance! Our last order feature allows customers to repeat their last order without having to enter any data. Online orders are fully integrated with our Whata Lotta Documentor POS system eliminating the need for human interaction taking the order or processing payment.
Why Whata Lotta Pizza?
Superior Product:
We use the finest ingredients for a better tasting product, validated by our long-standing loyal customers and by customer response in new markets.
Consistency:
Our processes ensure we make the same pizza every time in every location.
Efficiency:
Our efficiency-based operations enable us to maintain competitive pricing while adhering to our quality standards.
Price:
Our pricing is competitive in the “economy market” while providing a superior product.
Low Cost To Franchise:
Our franchise fee and cost of opening are competitive.
Experience:
We have more than 17 years of successful growth and operationing our retail locations. We have assembled a team of experienced providers and consultants in every key area to facilitate growth of our franchise business.
We use the finest ingredients for a better tasting product, validated by our long-standing loyal customers and by customer response in new markets.
Consistency:
Our processes ensure we make the same pizza every time in every location.
Efficiency:
Our efficiency-based operations enable us to maintain competitive pricing while adhering to our quality standards.
Price:
Our pricing is competitive in the “economy market” while providing a superior product.
Low Cost To Franchise:
Our franchise fee and cost of opening are competitive.
Experience:
We have more than 17 years of successful growth and operationing our retail locations. We have assembled a team of experienced providers and consultants in every key area to facilitate growth of our franchise business.
Are You a Good Fit for Whata Lotta Pizza?
Our ideal franchise candidate is a person with:
- A strong motivation and drive to achieve success and to serve their community.
- Confidence and enthusiasm for their product,
- The desire and ability to learn and is able to motivate and train others.
- The understanding of the critical importance of customer service.
- A minimum net worth of $250,000
- Minimum liquidity of $150,000
