Pizza Inn Inc. has signed a multi-unit development agreement to open six new locations in the Houston market beginning in late summer 2008, the company said.

The Dallas-based Pizza Inn awarded the franchise agreement to Four Star Foods, a subsidiary of King Fuels Inc., of Houston, which operates 40 convenience stores in that state.

The development plan calls for the opening of two Pizza Inn delivery/carry-out concepts and four Pizza Inn express units beginning in August. The first unit will be located at 392 N. Sam Houston Parkway in Houston as part of a co-branded food service concept at the c-stores.

“This is an important step in our domestic development plan,” said Ward Olgreen, senior vice president of worldwide franchising for Pizza Inn. “Our reputation for serving a quality product coupled with King Fuels experience in the areas of co-branding and food service makes this the perfect operational and brand fit.”

King Fuels operates more than 40 sites and provides supplies to more than 250 locations. The company represents six major petroleum brands.

“Four Star Foods is excited about its partnership with Pizza Inn,” said Zaki Niazi, president of King Fuels. “Our goal is to complement our convenience store operations while expanding Pizza Inn’s market share within the Houston area. We feel that partnering with a brand of Pizza Inn’s quality will better satisfy our convenience store consumers while creating the opportunity for new trial.”

Pizza Inn is making a push for new franchisees for its domestic express and delivery convenience store programs.