MOD Pizza operates as a build-your-own style restaurant, similar to Chipotle Mexican Grill where the food is made in front of the customer on-demand.

Customers specify which ingredients they want included on their order, and watch the preparation process, though the restaurant also offers recommended combinations.

James Markham, who had previously started pizza parlors in San Diego, California and Shanghai, China, was also a part of the founding team and helped develop the house recipes used by MOD.

He subsequently started a California-based chain set on MOD's "DIY" pizza concept called Pieology.

[19] In March 2016, MOD Pizza announced that they had secured $32 million in a funding round and had plans to expand to 190 stores.

[25] In April 2024, MOD Pizza abruptly shuttered 27 restaurants permanently as part of mass downsizing.

[27] The company blamed closures on declining sales caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising interest costs as part of the decision.