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Case | HBS Case Collection | September 2015 (Revised February 2017)

MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe?

by Boris Groysberg, John D. Vaughan and Matthew Preble

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Abstract

Scott and Ally Svenson, the founders of MOD Pizza, had to make a number of decisions in planning how to scale their small company. They wanted to grow MOD from 45 stores as of May 2015 to 200 stores by the end of 2016, and while the two believed that MOD could manage this growth from an operational standpoint, they wanted to make sure that MOD's culture was sufficiently strong to survive this rollout. The company had developed a strong culture, and the Svensons did not want MOD's core values and philosophies to be compromised as it rapidly expanded. To that end, they considered what the company needed to do in order to protect its core culture. Should it put rigid safeguards in place or trust that MOD could successfully scale its culture by hiring the right people and helping them develop as employees? The Svensons also discussed the possibility of an IPO at some point in the near future; what would this mean for its ability to stay true to its core values?

Keywords: entrepreneurship; employees; employee relationship management; selection and staffing; leadership; growth and development strategy; marketing; service delivery; organizational culture; corporate social responsibility and impact; mission and purpose; Entrepreneurship; Employees; Employee Relationship Management; Selection and Staffing; Leadership; Growth and Development Strategy; Marketing; Service Delivery; Organizational Culture; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Mission and Purpose; Service Industry; United States;

Language: English Format: Print 28 pages EducatorsPurchase

Citation:

Groysberg, Boris, John D. Vaughan, and Matthew Preble. "MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe?" Harvard Business School Case 416-004, September 2015. (Revised February 2017.)

Related Work

  1. Teaching Note | HBS Case Collection | April 2016

    MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe?

    Boris Groysberg and Matthew G. Preble

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris, and Matthew G. Preble. "MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe?" Harvard Business School Teaching Note 416-042, April 2016.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsPurchase Related
  2. Supplement | HBS Case Collection | August 2016

    MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe?--Video Supplement

    Boris Groysberg, John D. Vaughan and Matthew G. Preble

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris, John D. Vaughan, and Matthew G. Preble. "MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe?--Video Supplement." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Supplement 417-701, August 2016.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsPurchase Related
  3. Case | HBS Case Collection | September 2015 (Revised February 2017)

    MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe?

    Boris Groysberg, John D. Vaughan and Matthew Preble

    Scott and Ally Svenson, the founders of MOD Pizza, had to make a number of decisions in planning how to scale their small company. They wanted to grow MOD from 45 stores as of May 2015 to 200 stores by the end of 2016, and while the two believed that MOD could manage this growth from an operational standpoint, they wanted to make sure that MOD's culture was sufficiently strong to survive this rollout. The company had developed a strong culture, and the Svensons did not want MOD's core values and philosophies to be compromised as it rapidly expanded. To that end, they considered what the company needed to do in order to protect its core culture. Should it put rigid safeguards in place or trust that MOD could successfully scale its culture by hiring the right people and helping them develop as employees? The Svensons also discussed the possibility of an IPO at some point in the near future; what would this mean for its ability to stay true to its core values?

    Keywords: entrepreneurship; employees; employee relationship management; selection and staffing; leadership; growth and development strategy; marketing; service delivery; organizational culture; corporate social responsibility and impact; mission and purpose; Entrepreneurship; Employees; Employee Relationship Management; Selection and Staffing; Leadership; Growth and Development Strategy; Marketing; Service Delivery; Organizational Culture; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Mission and Purpose; Service Industry; United States;

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris, John D. Vaughan, and Matthew Preble. "MOD Pizza: A Winning Recipe?" Harvard Business School Case 416-004, September 2015. (Revised February 2017.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase Related
  4. Supplement | HBS Case Collection | June 2017

    MOD Pizza in 2017

    Boris Groysberg and Matthew G. Preble

    This supplement describes how MOD Pizza has grown between May 2015 (when the first case ends) and early 2017.

    Keywords: Growth Management; Organizational Culture;

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris, and Matthew G. Preble. "MOD Pizza in 2017." Harvard Business School Supplement 417-080, June 2017.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsPurchase Related

About the Author

Photo
Boris Groysberg
Richard P. Chapman Professor of Business Administration
Organizational Behavior

View Profile »
View Publications »

 

More from the Author

  • Case | HBS Case Collection | October 2019 (Revised December 2019)

    Swizz Beatz

    Boris Groysberg, Annelena Lobb and Sarah Mehta

    This case explores the life and career of rapper and music producer Swizz Beatz. Set in 2019, it covers the evolution of Swizz’s musical career and his new venture into the commercial art market.

    Keywords: Entertainment; Music Entertainment; Television Entertainment; Entrepreneurship; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Fine Arts Industry; Music Industry; United States;

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris, Annelena Lobb, and Sarah Mehta. "Swizz Beatz." Harvard Business School Case 420-034, October 2019. (Revised December 2019.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducators Related
  • Case | HBS Case Collection | October 2019 (Revised December 2019)

    Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys: A Power Couple

    Boris Groysberg, Annelena Lobb and Sarah Mehta

    Set in 2018, this case follows married couple and music industry titans Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys as they consider how best to use their platforms to achieve their goals. Since achieving professional success in the music industry early in their lives, Swizz and Keys had explored many different personal and professional pursuits. Swizz was particularly interested in the arts and had launched an initiative aimed at supporting emerging visual artists of color. Keys had taken on acting roles, written a children’s book, and had become an increasingly vocal advocate for social justice causes. Anchoring their professional work, Swizz and Keys had built a loving family rooted in communication and mutual respect. As one of the music industry’s most recognizable power couples, Swizz and Keys now considered how they might use their joint platform to continue to drive positive change for artists and creators of all stripes.

    Keywords: Entertainment; Music Entertainment; Television Entertainment; Entrepreneurship; Power and Influence; Entertainment and Recreation Industry; Music Industry; United States;

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris, Annelena Lobb, and Sarah Mehta. "Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys: A Power Couple." Harvard Business School Case 420-035, October 2019. (Revised December 2019.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducators Related
  • Supplement | HBS Case Collection | November 2019

    California Closets - Bill Barton

    Boris Groysberg

    Video supplement for the HBS Case Study "California Closets: Organizing the Customer Experience," product number 419-004.

    Citation:

    Groysberg, Boris. "California Closets - Bill Barton." Harvard Business School Multimedia/Video Supplement 420-702, November 2019.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsPurchase Related
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