Cicis Pizza, the brand that pioneered the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, is celebrating 40 incredible years of providing friends and families with its signature combination of variety, value and fun. Since opening its doors in 1985 in Plano, Texas, Cicis has evolved from a local staple into a national icon with more than 270 locations across 23 states–all while staying true to the guest experience that made it a household name. Since then, it has been a place where core memories are made—from post-game team celebrations to birthday parties to first dates and family dinners, all creating lasting moments with loved ones.

Cicis owes its success to the dedicated and passionate franchisees who have helped shape the brand over the years. For nearly four decades, Katy franchisee Ken English has been a driving force behind Cicis' achievements, growing from a corporate team member to a multi-unit franchisee. His journey with the brand began 36 years ago when his brother-in-law introduced him to Cicis, which had only six locations at the time. Recognizing the opportunity, English took a leap of faith and joined the team, later becoming a franchise owner at just 26 years old.

"Cicis has been more than just a business to me—it’s been a place to build relationships, support my community, and help others grow," said English. "From the very beginning, I saw the potential to create something special, and 36 years later, that passion has only grown. Seeing my team members develop into franchise owners themselves has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey."

Throughout his career, English has remained committed to developing people and strengthening communities. His love for coaching team members has led to six of his general managers becoming franchise owners themselves. His restaurant is also deeply involved with the Katy Independent School District, reinforcing Cicis’ role as a valued part of the community.

“As someone who started on the ground level and worked my way through nearly every facet of this business, I can say firsthand that North Texas gave Cicis its home, and it shaped the way we grew, building the foundation for what Cicis is today,” said Jeff Hetsel, president of Cicis Pizza. “To last 40 years in this industry takes passion, resilience, and a deep connection to the guests we serve. We have several owners and operators that have been a part of Cicis for just as long if not longer than me, and we couldn’t have done it without them. Trends and concepts have come and gone, but the need for a place where families can enjoy great food at a great price has never changed.”

Recent co-branded menu collaborations like the buzzworthy Chicken & Eggo® Waffles Pizza and indulgent OREO® Brownie Pizza, prove that even a 40-year buffet concept can tap into industry trends while preserving the original classics it was founded upon. By staying committed to affordability and variety, Cicis continues to attract fans who grew up with the brand and new generations of families seeking an unbeatable value dining experience. As it looks ahead, Cicis proves that its legacy is only growing stronger, with more ground-breaking developments on the horizon.

For more information about Cicis Pizza, visit Cicis.com.

About Cicis® Pizza

Founded in 1985, Coppell, Texas-based Cicis invented the Endless Pizza Buffet concept, offering guests a wide variety of pizzas, including traditional crust and flatbreads, along with pastas, salads and desserts for dine-in, to-go and catering. With nearly 300 restaurants in 30-plus states, Cicis has been ranked by CNN Money as the No. 1 "Casual Dining Pizza Chain (for your money) in America," named by Technomic as the No. 2 "Most Kid-Friendly Chain as voted by Millennial Moms" and recognized by Nation's Restaurant News among its Top 200 Restaurant Chains.