Pizza Franchise Spotlights Women Franchisees Driving Growth and Community Impact
SACRAMENTO, California (Feb. 26, 2026) – Pizza Guys, a Sacramento-based pizza franchise known for fresh, high-quality food and community-first values, is celebrating its 40th anniversary and is proud to spotlight three inspiring women franchisees that have contributed to the brand since the very beginning.
These women have leveraged the brand to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams while making meaningful impacts in their communities. Their dedication and leadership reflect the brand’s long-standing commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs and fostering community-focused business ownership.
As women continue to represent one of the fastest-growing segments in franchising nationwide, Pizza Guys has made it a priority to create pathways for female leaders to advance from operational roles into ownership. Through comprehensive training programs, hands-on mentorship from leadership, operational transparency, and ongoing business coaching, the brand actively supports women in building sustainable, multi-unit businesses within their communities.
“From our very first store to today, Pizza Guys has always believed in empowering people to turn their hard work and passion into business ownership,” said Shahpour Nejad, CEO and co-founder of Pizza Guys. “We’re especially proud of the women in our franchise system, many of whom have grown with us for decades. Their dedication, leadership, and community involvement truly embody what Pizza Guys is all about.”
Farah Ikbal, Yanti Corniciou, and Ashley Rafferty are just a few examples of the many strong, driven women whose leadership helps shape the Pizza Guys franchise community. Each woman started their journey in operational roles, ranging from crew member to manager, before taking the leap to own and operate their own Pizza Guys locations.
- Farah Ikbal began her career at a corporate-owned Pizza Guys store and quickly advanced to manager. Motivated by her passion for pizza and customer service, Ikbal opened her own location in Rancho Cucamonga, California, bringing her vision of quality and community to the local market.
- Yanti Corniciou has been part of the Pizza Guys family for decades, starting as a crew member and eventually owning her store in Yuba City, California. Her leadership extends beyond the restaurant as she actively supports her community through donations and partnerships with the local police and fire departments.
- Ashley Rafferty worked her way up from team member to manager before opening her franchise in Dixon, California, where she is known for her generosity and strong community involvement. Passionate about supporting local schools, she builds partnerships with teachers and staff for classroom celebrations and events, while also hosting fundraisers and initiatives that support local families in need.
Women play an increasingly vital role in the franchising industry, often bringing strong community ties, operational discipline, and people-first leadership styles that drive long-term brand success. At Pizza Guys, female franchisees are not only business owners but mentors, culture-builders, and ambassadors for the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“Seeing women like Farah, Yanti and Ashley grow from team members to successful franchise owners is incredibly rewarding,” said Reza Kalantari, co-founder of Pizza Guys. “Their journeys show that with the right support, dedication and passion, anyone can achieve their entrepreneurial dreams while making a real difference in their communities.”
Pizza Guys continues to grow its footprint in California and beyond, supporting franchisees with a proven system, hands-on guidance, and a culture that celebrates diversity and entrepreneurship. These women are just a few examples of how Pizza Guys creates real pathways for female entrepreneurs to build generational wealth, lead thriving teams and shape the communities they serve. As the brand looks ahead to its next 40 years, empowering women in business remains a core pillar of its growth strategy.
To learn more about Pizza Guys and view their full menu, please visit: pizzaguys.com.
About Pizza Guys
Founded by Shahpour Nejad and Reza Kalantari in 1986 and franchising since 1994, Pizza Guys offers high-quality and delicious gourmet pizzas at a price point that can meet every budget. Each Pizza Guys pizza is handcrafted using fresh-made dough, 100% whole milk mozzarella cheese and a sauce made with fresh-packed, California-grown tomatoes. All topped with high quality toppings from trusted brands. The brand currently has 100+ stores open and operating across two states. For more information about Pizza Guys, please visit: pizzaguys.com.
