The area's first Hungry Howie’s Pizza opened Thursday on Ringgold Road in East Ridge across from Sonic.
Eileen Boyles said she and her husband picked 10 local locations, and the East Ridge site was tops in three different categories.
She said the nearest Hungry Howie's units are at Jonesboro, Ga., south of Atlanta and at Morristown, Tn.
Ms. Boyles said East Ridge is "a phenomenal place to do business."
The Boyles couple have lived at Ooltewah for the past 15 years.
According to the company website, the Hungry Howie's story began in 1973 when Jim Hearn converted a 1,000-square-foot hamburger shop in Taylor, Mich., into a successful carry-out and delivery pizzeria. At the time, Steve Jackson delivered pizzas for Hearn. Over the years, their partnership would evolve into what Hungry Howie’s is today.
In 1982, Jackson and Hearn made a decision to franchise their operation. In January 1983, they awarded their first Hungry Howie’s franchise.
Within the next three years, 65 franchises were opened within the Hungry Howie’s system. The company ended the 1980s with over 160 units. Hungry Howie’s opened its 300th location in 1995, and 400th in 1999. In 2004, Hungry Howie’s was awarded “Chain of the Year” by Pizza Today magazine and opened their 500th location in 2005.
Currently, Hungry Howie’s operates over 576 locations in 23 states.