MD Pizza, a staple in Midland since 2005, has long been known for its variety of pizzas and its famous breadsticks served with homemade ranch. Originally opened by Matt and Diana — whose initials form the “MD” in MD Pizza — the local pizzeria is now owned by Dru Austin, who has brought new life and growth to the establishment.
Austin’s connection to MD Pizza runs deep. "I started working at MD Pizza during my sophomore year of high school," Austin said in an interview with Midland Times. "It was my very first job, and Matt and Diana treated me like family. They cared about my grades and made sure I was doing well in school."
In 2021, after 15 years of ownership, Matt and Diana approached Austin with an offer to buy the business. "They didn’t want to sell it to just anyone," Austin said. "They wanted someone who would continue their vision without making big changes." At the time, Austin was working toward purchasing his first home, but according to Austin, the opportunity to own the business that had been such a significant part of his life was too good to pass up.
When Austin took over, MD Pizza was doing about $200,000 in annual sales, but it was struggling to maintain consistency. "The first few months were tough. Sales were down, and we were on the verge of closing," Austin said. "I knew the product was good, but the inconsistent hours and closures established by the previous owners were hurting us. That’s when I knew I had to rethink how we were doing things."
Austin made several changes to turn the business around. He focused on improving the quality of ingredients by attending food shows and conventions. "I took a list of toppings I wanted to improve, and I looked for the best options out there to create a premium product," said Austin. These efforts paid off, with sales jumping to $67,000 in four months after becoming owner.
Technology also played a major role in MD Pizza’s transformation. Austin invested in two $50,000 pizza ovens that drastically reduced wait times from two hours to 10 minutes. "The old oven was great, but it couldn’t keep up with the volume we were seeing," he said. "The new ovens allow us to maintain quality while increasing our output."
Other technological advancements included a pizza dough stretcher and a third-party call center that handles customer orders, allowing MD Pizza employees to focus solely on pizza production. "Now, all my labor is focused on making pizzas, and that’s led to our success and growth," Austin explained.
In partnership with Rustin Hicks, founder of Texas To-Go, Austin further streamlined operations, and MD Pizza continued to expand. Today, three years after Austin took ownership, the business has grown to nearly $950,000 in annual sales — a significant increase from when he first took over. "Now it’s time to copy and paste this model and grow MD Pizza even more," Austin said, hinting at future plans.
Part of that growth includes a rebranding. MD Pizza will soon be known as "Midland Pizza Factory," a nod to its roots while signaling the next chapter of expansion.
Despite the growth, Austin remains committed to ensuring each customer has a positive experience. "Even if someone has a bad experience, I’ll go above and beyond to make it right," Austin said. His dedication to customer service is reflected in online reviews, where many customers note how Austin personally addresses their concerns.
As MD Pizza continues to evolve, one thing is clear: Austin’s passion for the business and commitment to quality have made MD Pizza a thriving part of Midland’s restaurant scene.
“Savor Midland” is a Midland Times’ series highlighting local restaurants and the unique stories behind them.