Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs is out for a slice of the pizza market in South Florida.

Focusing on the carry-out and delivery market, the Michigan-based franchise hopes to gain an edge over its competitors by offering special prices on a variety of products, including sub sandwiches and spaghetti.

“They’re always coming up with new ideas,” said Tony Gonzales, owner and manager of the Hungry Howie’s at 3205 N. State Road 7, Margate, that opened about four months ago.

An interesting food item includes fruit pies oven-baked on pizza crust. “A lot of people, when they order dinner, they want dessert to go with it,” said Frank Talerico, owner and manager of the Hungry Howie’s at 4599 N. University Drive, Lauderhill, that opened 10 months ago.

Hungry Howie’s has attracted the attention of competitors.

Jon Laye, who is temporarily managing the Domino’s Pizza at 3130 W. Commercial Blvd., said he thinks the Lauderhill Hungry Howie’s has affected lunch sales at the Domino’s in that area. “Hungry Howie’s goes really cheap,” Laye said.

But by offering free delivery, Domino’s has a slightly different market. Because Hungry Howie’s charges $1.50 for delivery, it probably appeals more to consumers who order carry-out pizza, Laye said.

Although about half of the 220 Hungry Howie’s nationwide are in Florida, the only ones in South Florida are the two in Broward County.

The franchise owners of those two Hungry Howie’s said they are encouraged by current sales.

“I plan to open 15 in the next five years,” Gonzales said. Talerico said he aims to open seven operations, possibly one soon in the Weston area.

The initial capital investment is about $100,000. A $7,500 franchise fee plus royalties of 3 percent are required in the first year; 4 percent in the second year and 5 percent the following years.

But new operations tend to have difficulties during recessions, said Manny Mighdoll, executive vice president of the Florida Restaurant Association. “People are not easy spenders.”

Yet this actually might help take-out and fast-food places because people are less inclined to go to restaurants, he said. “That does give some advantage to lower-cost operations like pizza facilities.”

Talerico said he is undaunted by the recession. “I think it’s helping my sales. During the recession, I think the pizza is an economical way to feed the family.”