A Metro Detroit businessman who owns the Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita restaurant chains has acquired a majority stake in the Saline-based Stucchi's ice cream company, with plans to franchise future stores both in Michigan and out of state.

Casey Askar is buying a bulk of Stanford LLC Ltd., the company that runs the licensing arm of Stucchi's and its Saline ice cream manufacturing plant, from Jason Abbate, Kevin Phelps and a third silent partner in a deal set to close around April 1. Askar will rename the new holding company Stucchi's Products LLC. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"They are a strong Michigan brand with strong Michigan ties. We complement each other very very well," Abbate said. "Their lines will add to our existing stores. Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita have the know-how and the experience in franchising, which will help us grow in the future."

Stucchi's manufacturing facility and half-dozen employees will remain in Saline, said Abbate, who will continue to run the 6,000-square-foot plant. Phelps will stay on to manage the independently owned Ann Arbor Stucchi's stores, of which he is a part owner. All three former owners will maintain an ownership stake in the new Stucchi's Products.

Stucchi's makes and sells 76 kinds of ice cream, 68 varieties of frozen yogurt and nine different sorbets at 12 retail outlets in three states, including four in Washtenaw County, as well as at 50 grocery and convenience stores. Its Saline plant makes about 60,000 gallons of product annually and has ample capacity to make more and even expand the plant if necessary.

Stucchi's • Business: Makes and sells ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbet. • Ownership: Founded by David and Chris Fischera in 1986; sold to Jason Abbate, Kevin Phelps and a silent partner in 2003; sold to Casey Askar in 2008. • Facilities: Manufacturing plant in Saline; independently owned retail Stucchi's stores in Ann Arbor, Dexter, Pittsfield Township, Milford, Livonia, Okemos, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Detroit, Boston and Wake Forest, N.C. • Production: Stucchi's Saline plant makes about 60,000 gallons of product annually. • Employees: Nine, including six at the Saline plant and three in management.

Brothers David and Chris Fischera started Stucchi's in 1986 in Ann Arbor using their grandmother's recipe for homemade ice cream. Abbate, Phelps and their third partner bought Stucchi's and its five stores from the Fischeras in 2003. Since then, they've grown the company to a dozen stores, all of which are owned and operated by independent licensees. A store typically employs 10 to 15 people.

Askar plans to offer to convert the current Stucchi's stores to franchises and will continue to open new franchises, both as standalone Stucchi's and co-branded with Papa Romano's or Mr. Pita restaurants. Its first co-branded Papa Romano's/Stucchi's store is set to open this spring in White Lake.

"We are always looking for brands to complement our existing product line and specifically had been seeking a strong dessert brand to add to our mix," Askar said in a statement. "With its high quality product and strong Michigan roots, Stucchi's is an excellent fit with our product line and also works well for us operationally."

Askar also plans to increase the number of third-party retailers that sell Stucchi's ice cream.

The Papa Romano's pizza and Mr. Pita sandwich chains owned by Askar, both based in Commerce Township, generated combined systemwide sales of $34 million last year. Abbate declined to disclosed Stucchi's annual revenue. Papa Romano's has 48 Michigan locations and was founded in 1970; Mr. Pita started in 1993 and has 36 stores in Michigan and Florida.

In February, Askar announced plans to expand Papa Romano's and Mr. Pita in Colorado, Texas and North Carolina.

Reached by telephone in Florida Tuesday, Askar said he hopes to build a diversified food portfolio of companies similar to that of Yum Brands Inc., a Kentucky-based restaurant company that owns such brands as Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, A&W Restaurants and KFC Corp. Previously, Askar - who served a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps - has owned gyms, gas stations and pizza restaurants. He was the chief executive officer of Papa Romano's before buying the company.

"We are providing opportunities for franchising that a lot of companies don't offer by providing multiple brands," Askar said.