American pizza chain Round Table Pizza has signed Indian company South Asian Hospitality Services to open 50 restaurants in India.

The pizza brand will focus on serving premium pizza to the growing middle class in the country. The first Round Table Pizza restaurant is expected to open by the year’s end.

The new outlets will take the total number of international Round Table Pizza restaurants operating or slated for development to 97.

“India is one of the fastest growing and most vibrant economies in the world and they value premium brands like Round Table Pizza,” said Round Table Pizza CEO Rob McCourt.

Founded in California, Round Table Pizza has 450 restaurants across the western US and the world. It carries a tagline “The Last Honest Pizza”, which it says describes its commitment to quality and authenticity.

South Asian Hospitality Services has master franchise rights of international brands such as Muffin Break from Australia and Rita’s Italian Ice from the US.