Shahpour Nejad

Shahpour Nejad is president/CEO of California-based Pizza Guys. He grew up in Iran and immigrated to the U.S. when he was 16 years old. After graduating from high school, he attended college at Cleveland State University. While earning his degree, he began working at a local pizza shop. There, he helped the owner increase sales by revamping the menu and enhancing the customer experience. The owner saw Nejad’s natural talent for operating a pizza business and, soon after, opened a second location with Nejad as a co-owner. Although Nejad graduated with a BS in mechanical engineering, he realized the pizza business was his passion. In 1986, he opened his own pizza restaurant, Pizza Guys, with a partner in California. What started as a single-unit establishment has since evolved into a thriving franchise boasting over 90 units throughout California and Nevada. The brand now has its sights set on expanding into Texas.