Ledo Pizza

Ledo Pizza is a family-founded pizza chain that has become a staple in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. The company began in 1955 when Robert Beall and Thomas Marcos opened their first restaurant in Adelphi, Maryland, just outside the University of Maryland. Their distinctive approach—rectangular pizzas with a thin, flaky crust, sweet tomato sauce, smoked provolone cheese, and thick-cut pepperoni—quickly set them apart and helped define what many now recognize as Maryland-style pizza.

Ledo Pizza started franchising in 1979, a move that marked the beginning of its steady regional expansion. As of May 2023, the brand operates 116 restaurants, with its headquarters in Annapolis, Maryland. The company remains independent and family-led, with Jamie Beall, the founders’ grandson, serving as President and COO. This continuity has helped preserve the original recipes and community-focused culture that have long been central to the brand.

Over the past five years, Ledo Pizza has continued to grow its footprint through franchising, with a particular focus on suburban and urban communities in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. The company has also invested in brand visibility and community partnerships, most notably through a multi-year sponsorship with the Baltimore Orioles announced in early 2024. These efforts have reinforced Ledo Pizza’s presence in priority markets and signaled a commitment to ongoing expansion.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, Ledo Pizza stands out as an established, credible tenant with a track record of steady growth and flexible restaurant formats. The brand’s regional strength, continued investment in new locations, and active pursuit of franchise partners position it as a reliable and scalable option for a variety of retail environments.