It has been one of Moose Jaw's most popular restaurants for people of all ages for many years and the good people at Houston Pizza want to introduce the community to the new franchisees in The Friendly City. 

Houston Pizza has grown over the years to include five restaurants in Regina, one in Fort Qu'Appelle, one in Swift Current and, of course, the Moose Jaw location at 117 Main Street North. 

The very first location opened in Regina in 1970. 

Spero Milios is Franchise Operations Manager for Houston Pizza. 

"Yes, we're happy to say we celebrated our 50th-anniversary last year and really, really happy with being able to celebrate 50 years.  It's been quite a journey for the franchise, and we are just really appreciative of our loyal following - our loyal customers who helped us get here," Spero told us. Spero Milios HP

The Moose Jaw location opened up in 1979. 

"Moose Jaw was actually our 2nd location so it's a big part of the way our franchise-operated so, 42 years for Moose Jaw and again, that's a big thank you to the people of Moose Jaw for supporting us the way they have since 1979 - especially over the last two years where it's been really tough for everybody.  The people of Moose Jaw really showed their support... it seems like everybody really came together and that's beautiful to see," Spero said. 

Working in the restaurant industry came naturally for Spero.  His ties with Houston Pizza date back to when he was but a boy. 

"Yes, my father, when he first came over from Greece in 1976, his first job was working at Hill Avenue Houston Pizza, the original, and he got his start there and got to know the Kolitsas family really well - the founding four brothers of Houston Pizza.  He built a career the same way as most of our franchisees did - working their way up and making their way into their own operation," Spero said proudly. 

"I worked in the restaurant all my life growing up and operated my own for a while but then decided it was time to make the move to the franchise side and help everybody through their franchise operations and some of the expansion." 

And while Spero says it's a "labour of love" working in the restaurant industry, it's more competitive than ever. 

Franchise operations manager for Houston Pizza, Spero Milios.

"It sure is.  You know, we find it gets more and more competitive and that's why the focus is on looking after your customers.  It's that appreciation.  That's how you keep your customers and stay relevant in today's market where there's a new competitor around the corner it seems like every week." 

We asked Spero about what we all know is the different styles of pizza we can get in Moose Jaw and Regina and, in fact, at all Houston Pizza locations.  It's always thick, always delicious and it seems you can't find that style anywhere else. 

"It's true.  It's southern Saskatchewan and Regina and Moose Jaw in particular.  The two cities have the founding fathers of this style of pizza.  There are some amazing restaurants around Moose Jaw and it's wonderful to see that everybody can stay relevant with the way they produce all their items in a unique way and, at the heart of it all, it's Greek tradition," Spero smiled. 

And keeping up the Houston Pizza tradition in Moose Jaw, Spero is pleased to welcome new, young and energetic franchisees. 

"We have quite an exceptional couple who just purchased this location last year.  Joenie and Nancy Santiago are wonderful people to get to know.  They love the community, and they love being involved and they love the restaurant business.  I'm so excited to have them on board...when they started their franchise training program, I could see how passionate they are.  They started training at our locations in Regina and I could just tell...every aspect of it, they just had that passion.  We use quality ingredients, and we don't cut corners...we prefer to do things homemade, and they really took to that and ran with it. The more people get to know Joenie and Nancy, I think they're going to see that from them as well," Spero said. 

The Swift Current operation has also made a transition with a new franchisee - one with experience under his belt. 

"We have an operator there named Davood Golbar.  He was in our system already, as many of our franchisees are.  He was a general manager at one of our locations in Regina and the opportunity came up for him and he was thrilled to take it on and take it on head-on.  He's been doing some amazing things...all while keeping up our standards of quality and service that everybody expects from us," Spero said. 

Whether you're dining at Houston Pizza in Regina, Fort Qu'Appelle, Moose Jaw or Swift Current, Spero promises you'll find the same quality of food made with the same recipes. 

"Yes, we have the same core menu at every location but different cities, different towns, different locations will have a different feature menu.  So, you might go to Moose Jaw and have a different feature appetizer feature or a different supper feature...but the core menu is all the same.  Everything you've come to expect from Houston Pizza, you can find at any location." 

Spero is hoping Moose Jaw and area diners will stop into the local restaurant for a special treat during the month of August. 

"What we want to do for Moose Jaw...a bit of appreciation - for the whole month of August, we're offering a free appetizer of your choice, dine-in or take-out, any meal over $40.00, you get a free appetizer.  And it's not one of these things where we pick something inexpensive, it's whatever you like.  If you want to try wings, ribs, nachos, you make your pick and you get your free appetizer, just as a 'thank you' to the community." 

You can check out the full line-up of delicious appetizers and the full menu if you go to their website. 

Spero promises you won't be disappointed. 

"You know what it is?  What the founders have always stood firm with was not wavering in quality and that carries through to today.  There are a lot of places that get by with off-the-shelf items but with us everything is proprietary.  Even our pizza meats are done specifically for us to meet our specifications to ensure there are no preservatives or additives we don't want - even our salami has Saskatchewan mustard seed in it.  We try to procure as much as we can from trusted suppliers...it's the closest you can come to farm-to-table in the restaurant industry right now," Spero said. 

We asked Spero what HIS favourite items are on the Houston Pizza menu. 

"Oh, wow, that's like trying to pick your favourite child," he said with a laugh. 

"You know our dressings are always a favourite with our Greek and Caesar salads, but the old classic is always the all-dressed pizza, but I really like our awesome new options like our cauliflower crust - it's phenomenal.  We've come a long way with our gluten-free options.  It wasn't long ago they weren't that appetizing, but we have some options now that are phenomenal when it comes to that kind of stuff but, honestly, everything on the menu - our burgers are pretty incredible too," Spero said. 

And Spero also wants locals to know about their extensive catering menu. 

"We've done catering for a long time and there's some great value with great options from all of our traditional favourites to some of the newer health-smart options that people are attracted to.  We'll cater any size of function." 

Houston Pizza.  Real. Good. Food. 

Again, you can view the menu and order online for take-out and delivery at HoustonPizza.ca.  You can dine-in at 117 Main Steet North and you can call in an order the old-fashioned way, on the telephone:  306 693 3934.