Franchise Leadership
Meet the Antioch Pizza Team
Since 1977, Antioch Pizza has brought fresh food and a passion for service to communities across the Midwest. We're proud to have become a beloved part of many neighborhoods and the lives of countless families. Read on to learn more about our franchise leadership team.
A Labor of Love
High school sweethearts Art and Karen Wicklein left their jobs in the corporate world – Art in engineering, Karen in marketing – to take a chance on their favorite local pizza restaurant. The Antioch natives knew they had the perfect ingredients to turn Antioch Pizza Shop into a thriving pizza franchise. Art and Karen focused on turning each restaurant into the foundation of the community it serves. Each Antioch Pizza location is the crust of the community, fiercely supporting schools, places of worship, local businesses, sports teams, and everything in between. By developing a business model that put community service at the forefront, the Wickleins have helped Antioch Pizza grow into a cozy, delicious slice of home for Midwest locals and visitors from all over the world.
Get to Know Our Franchise Leadership
As an Antioch Pizza franchise owner, you’ll get to know our franchise leadership team. These industry experts have the skills and expertise needed to help you build a thriving business. In addition to Art and Karen Wicklein, our franchise leadership team includes:
Matt Wicklein
Construction, Maintenance, & Store Support Director
Matt has been with Antioch Pizza for over a decade. Starting as a multiunit owner and operator, he served as director of construction and real estate prior to being named construction and maintenance director. Before joining the Antioch Pizza team, he served as maintenance manager for large multiunit housing communities. Matt is enthusiastic about being a great mentor to franchisees during their buildout process.
Andy Spencer
Operations & Training Director
In 2010, Andy started his journey with Antioch Pizza as an entry level team member. He served in a number of roles prior to being named operations director, including multiunit owner and operator. In his capacity as operations director, he has created all of Antioch Pizza’s process documentation, procedures, training materials, and all other operational efficiency items. He is also a mentor to all managers and franchisees. Andy is a Six Sigma Yellow Belt and has trained in quick response manufacturing.
James Lloyd
Head of Franchise Sales
For the past 15 years, James has been involved in the franchise industry, gaining valuable experience both as a franchisee and as a team member on the franchisor side of the business. He has experience working in a variety of franchise industries and is an expert in Antioch Pizza Shop Franchising. His passion for pizza helps him lead a franchisee to a successful start.
Amy Djus
Human Resources Manager
Amy started her career with Antioch Pizza as a member of the customer service team. Prior to becoming human resources manager, she also served as store manager, where she oversaw a number of Antioch Pizza locations. In her capacity as human resources manager, Amy works with all Antioch Pizza franchisees and store managers to ensure a positive work environment.
Kyle Schaefer
Purchasing & Operations Manager
Kyle joined the Antioch Pizza team as a high school student and has spent the last decade serving our company in various roles. In his capacity as purchasing manager, Kyle assists all stores with material management, order guide updates, expediting out-of-stock issues, and supplier management. He strives to provide consistently excellent support to Antioch Pizza franchisees.
Serving Pizza, Serving Communities
We love sharing our homestyle recipes with everyone who visits our restaurants, but our greatest passion is serving our community. At Antioch Pizza, we know that our business is built on great food and even better relationships. We're driven to become part of a community's DNA, and there's no better way to do that than by getting out and supporting our neighbors, who, in turn, support us. In every Antioch Pizza town, the leadership knows we're an asset to the area. Nobody is going to out-donate us. Our commitment to community service is a point of great pride to every member of the Antioch Pizza team. If that sounds like you, we'd love for you to join our family of franchisees.
Make Antioch Pizza Part of Your Story
Antioch Pizza is a family business, and when you choose to franchise with us, you will be an independent franchise owner who is treated as part of our family. To get started, fill out our convenient online form today. A member of our franchising team will be in touch shortly.
