Savory Fund partners with Asilia Investments and Brightwood Capital Advisors to continue expansion of the award-winning Detroit-style pizzeria in five major markets
The capital will be used to execute Via 313’s ambitious growth strategy, which includes a target 100% growth of unit count by adding 20-plus stores within the next three years. Currently in five major metros, the plan prioritizes doubling down on its current geography, adding additional seasoned leadership, and leading the Detroit-style revolution with increased focus in marketing, loyalty, and experience.
Via 313 is partnered with Savory Fund, an innovative private equity firm that invests in emerging restaurant concepts. Together, they have expanded Via 313 from three full-service restaurants and two permanently placed trailers to 23 total locations, taking it into new markets and optimizing efficiencies for scale — all while adding a highly experienced above-store team to support the incoming growth.
“We couldn’t be happier with the trajectory of this brand,” said Andrew K. Smith, managing director of Savory Fund. “We’ve got the right leaders in place, we have a strong growth strategy, and we are energized by our new partners, Asilia and Brightwood, who understand the power and potential of Via 313. It is a special brand with limitless growth potential. Plus, we have the best pizza in the country — and I say that as a Chicago native who knows and loves pizza.”
Asilia Investments, based in Salt Lake City, is an alternative investment firm focused on private equity, real estate, and private lending.
“We are pleased to partner with the Via 313 and Savory teams,” said Austin Read, partner at Asilia. “With an exceptional management team, distinctive offerings, and a strong brand — combined with the strategic support of Savory’s deep industry expertise — we are confident Via 313 is well-positioned to sustain its remarkable growth.”
Brightwood Capital Advisors, based out of New York City, focuses on small to medium-sized enterprises in the industries of business services, healthcare services, transportation, franchising, and technology.
“We are excited that the additional capital provided through this partnership will support new store openings across Texas, Utah and Colorado,” said Sengal Selassie, founder and CEO of Brightwood Capital. “The brand has been at the forefront of bringing Detroit-style pizza to markets outside the Midwest, and we look forward to continued growth.”
Via 313 started 14 years ago in a small, non-descript trailer in Austin, Texas. Founded by Detroit-born brothers Brandon and Zane Hunt, the pizzeria began with a passion for sharing the style of pizza the Hunts knew and loved growing up. Since then, Via 313 has won numerous awards on both local and national stages, including, “Independent Pizzeria of the Year” by Pizza Today, “Top 10 Pizzas of the Year” from Food Network, and “Best Gluten-Free Pizza” from USA Today. Additionally, it has grown its revenues by more than 300% in the last three years, landing it on the coveted 2024 Inc. 5000 list, which chronicles the fastest-growing private companies in America.
“Via 313 started because we wanted to share our favorite pizza with the rest of the country,” said Zane Hunt, co-founder. “Lifting up communities — whether it’s through a delicious slice of pizza or through our ‘Better Giving Through Pizza’ initiative — is a core pillar of who we are. No matter how big we get, every single community Via 313 is a part of will continue to honor that. As we prepare for this next phase of growth, we look forward to the opportunity to connect with and support more communities with unforgettable food and hometown hospitality. We’re grateful and excited for the journey ahead.”
To learn more about Via 313, visit Via313.com.
About Via 313
Before Detroit-style pizza became a hit outside of the Motor City, trailblazers Brandon and Zane Hunt decided to bring their hometown pizza to Austin, Texas. Since 2011, they’ve built an Austin icon that locals and tourists flock to for genuine Detroit-style pizza. Via 313 currently operates 21 full-service restaurants and two permanently placed trailers throughout Texas and Utah, with several more locations in the pipeline. Via 313 was dubbed “one of the very best pizzas” by Food and Wine Magazine, named “Independent Pizzeria of the Year” by Pizza Today
About Savory Fund
Savory is an innovative private equity firm that combines over $750 million in assets under management with a growth playbook and expertise that has been developed over 16 years of operating in the restaurant industry. Savory partners with high-potential, profitable, emerging restaurant brands, to deliver financial capital, industry expertise, growth and revenue opportunities, profitability enhancements and new location development. The Savory team contributes directly to all aspects of growth and replication by using a proven playbook and methodology. Founder involvement in the expansion of a brand is a central theme of the Savory approach as founders carry the tribal knowledge around the uniqueness that has energized early success and is essential to future growth. Savory is currently invested in the following brands: Swig, R&R BBQ, PINCHO, Via 313 Pizzeria, Mo’ Bettahs Hawaiian Style Food, 86 Repairs, Saigon Hustle, Hash Kitchen, The Sicilian Butcher, Houston TX Hot Chicken and South Block. For more information, visit SavoryFund.com.
About Asilia Investments
Asilia Investments (“Asilia”) is a leading alternative investment firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializing in private lending, real estate, and private equity. The firm partners with institutions and individuals to generate attractive, risk-adjusted returns through different market environments. With a strong emphasis on long-term relationships, Asilia collaborates with companies, sponsors, and strategic partners to access a proprietary pipeline of investment opportunities. Its flexible capital base and investment approach enable the firm to deliver customized credit and equity solutions across various market cycles. The name “Asilia,” meaning honesty and genuineness in its African origins, reflects the firm’s core values of integrity, transparency, and trust. For more information, visit AsiliaInvestments.com.
About Brightwood Capital Advisors
Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC is a private credit firm with a long-standing track record of investing in middle market businesses. Brightwood specializes in providing senior debt capital primarily to U.S. businesses with $5-$75 million of EBITDA within five core industries: technology & telecommunications, healthcare, business services, transportation & logistics and franchising. Brightwood partners with non-sponsored businesses as well as private equity sponsors to provide customized financing solutions for directly originated investments. Founded in 2010, Brightwood is a minority-owned firm with a team of over 50 employees who manage more than $6 billion of assets on behalf of its primarily institutional investor base. Brightwood is headquartered in New York City. For more information, please visit: BrightwoodLP.com.
Contact:
Josiah Kinman
Champion
936-615-8979
jkinman@championmgt.com
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