Springfield-rooted Incredible Pizza opens fifth restaurant

“(Those are) paid for, done deals,” said Vice President of Marketing Leigh Choate. “(We’re) really in franchise-selling mode.”

Since opening the first Incredible Pizza buffet, games and themed restaurant in Springfield in 2002, the company has moved its corporate headquarters to Tulsa, Okla. Founder Rick Barsness still makes his residence in Rogersville and company officials consider Springfield its home.

“Springfield is still very important to us,” said Choate, who works from Austin, Texas. “It represents the feel of Incredible Pizza Co.”

Other locations are in Tulsa and Warr Acres, Okla., and Conroe, Texas. The sold franchises are concentrated in the South but spread from Colorado to Florida to Indiana.

The average restaurant costs $6 million to open, covered by the franchisees. Franchisees agree to pay a $50,000 franchise fee per store and 5.5 percent of sales in royalties once operating.

The corporately owned Springfield store recorded $4.5 million in 2004 sales, according to company officials.