The Sacramento-born pizza franchise has signed a lease for a new North Texas location, with longtime friends Kapil Pantha and Tara Rai leading the expansion
- Pizza Guys signs lease for Fort Worth location, second in Texas.
- Location managed by business partners Kapil Pantha and Tara Rai.
- Restaurant expected to open in early 2027, employing five staff.
Pizza Guys is adding another Texas location, signing a lease for a restaurant at 3529 Heritage Trace Pkwy, Ste. 119, in Fort Worth. The Sacramento-based franchise expects the new shop to open in early 2027, marking its second Texas restaurant after entering the state with a Plano location last year. The Fort Worth restaurant will be owned and operated by business partners Kapil Pantha and Tara Rai.
Pantha and Rai bring a relationship that extends beyond the franchise agreement. The longtime friends and neighbors have families with shared ties to Nepal, and their children attend the same school. Their professional backgrounds also span several operating environments. Pantha has worked in restaurants, managed 7-Eleven stores and held roles in trucking and logistics, while Rai has experience in restaurants, fast food and technology. Together, they see the Fort Worth restaurant as the beginning of a multi-unit development effort.
The pair's decision followed their experience with Pizza Guys in Plano, where they sampled the concept before committing to the Fort Worth project. Pizza Guys CEO and founder Shahpour Nejad said Pantha and Rai's partnership and community focus align with the qualities the brand seeks in its franchise owners. The Fort Worth location is also expected to create at least five jobs as the opening approaches.
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The Fort Worth lease adds to Pizza Guys' broader growth across the western United States. The company surpassed 100 locations systemwide and marked its 40th anniversary in 2026, with operations spanning California, Nevada and Texas. For Pantha and Rai, the upcoming restaurant represents both the brand's continued push into North Texas and the starting point for their own ambitions to build a larger Pizza Guys operation.
Key Facts:
| New Location | Pizza Guys signed a lease for a new location at 3529 Heritage Trace Pkwy, Ste 119 in Fort Worth, TX. |
|---|---|
| Business Partners | The new Fort Worth location is owned by partners Kapil Pantha and Tara Rai, friends and neighbors with a Nepalese heritage. |
| Opening Date | The Fort Worth Pizza Guys location is planned to open in early 2027. |
| Employment Plans | The new location is expected to employ at least five staff members to help with day-to-day operations. |
| Previous Experience | Kapil Pantha and Tara Rai have varied backgrounds in restaurant management, tech, and logistics. |
| Community Focus | Pantha and Rai emphasize community relationships and providing a welcoming space for guests. |
| Franchise Growth | This location marks Pizza Guys' second in Texas, following a successful debut in Plano. |
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