News

South by Southwest: Pizzerias on the move to Southern, Southwestern states

More pizzerias are preparing to expand, with most units popping up in Alabama, Tennessee and Texas.

June 23, 2015

More pizzerias are preparing to expand, with most units popping up in Alabama, Tennessee and Texas. Here's the rundown:

Fast casual pizza brand Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Jointis bringing its customized pizza to Huntsville/Madison Alabama and the surrounding communities, the company announced. The Atlanta-based build-your-own pizza concept will open in its first restaurant in early 2016 on Highway 72 in Madison, Alabama.

The company plans to open a total of three restaurants in the next four years, according to a press release. Franchisees John Allen Howard, Jr., a commercial real estate attorney from Montgomery, and his wife Joy McAfee Howard, an estate planning attorney, will open the Huntsville area restaurants. John and Joy will partner with another investor (and operating partner) to be named at a later date, the announcement said. 

The Howards chose North Alabama for its vibrant community and growing economy, according to the release.

Uncle Maddio's will also host a live webinar, Why You Can't Afford to Miss the Fast Casual Pizza Revolution, today discussing:

• Why fast-casual pizza is in high demand
• How the fast-casual pizza is positioned to grow exponentially over the next decade
• What to look for when choosing a fast-casual pizza system to own

Click here to register.

CiCi's Pizza has reopened its Kingston Pike store in Knoxville, Tennessee, after remodeling the restaurant.The restaurant officially opened its doors at 8414 Kingston Pike, this month. Franchisee Ben Johnson plans to bring another CiCi's to Knoxville next year.

The 4,578 square-foot restaurant features new interior design and furniture, updated signage and graphics, a new game room and several flat-screen TVs, the announcement said. After closing in November, CiCi's upgraded its salad bar and improved its pizzas with more cheese, better quality meat toppings and a new garlic butter crust. Guests can try CiCi's limited-time Chicken Bacon Ranch pizza at the location.

The Kingston Pike restaurant marks the 15th CiCi's in the state of Tennessee, and the 450th system-wide.

The chain also launched a location in Little Elm, Texas, according to a press release. The restaurant opened the doors Monday to its newest locatiom, 2700 E. Eldorado Parkway.

CiCi's will host its official grand opening festivities Saturday, and activities will feature balloon twisters when doors open for lunch. The first 50 guests to purchase an adult buffet at the July 18 grand opening will receive one free CiCi’s Pizza buffet each month for a year, the announcement said

The 2,550 square-foot footprint is smaller than most CiCi’s locations, with seating for 78 guests and a new interior design, new furniture and updated signage and graphics.

The Little Elm location will also serve CiCi’s new limited-time Bacon Chicken Ranch pizza. The store marks the 84th CiCi’s in the DFW Metroplex, the 188th in the state of Texas and the 449th system-wide.

The Rock Wood-Fired Kitchen will soon introduce the latest locations to serve its wood fired pizza in Arlington, Texas and Richardson, Texas, the company said.

The Rock's newest stores will feature two levels with a bar on each floor and three patios for outdoor seating. The Arlington Rock store is located in close proximity to Six Flags Over Texas, between Fort Worth and Dallas.

The restaurants will retain its signature rock 'n' roll themed atmosphere and music, and feature a full-service restaurant, custom drinks and signature gourmet pizzas in both locations.

Fast casual concept Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizzawill soon open a Las Vegas location, marking the second store in the city for the company.

The new Blaze Pizza restaurant, which features a 3,100 square-foot space with seating for 110, will open in August at 6211 North Decatur Boulevard, the company said.

Keller-area customers of Dallas, Texas, will soon experience Pie Five's build-your-own and signature pizzas at the company's opening June 26 at 1431 Keller Parkway, its 15th Dallas location.

On opening day, Pie Five in Keller will offer $5 pies from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., while 99.5 FM The Wolf will help celebrate the grand opening. The company will donate half of all proceeds from pre-opening events to the Community Storehouse, an organization focused on closing the gap between opportunity and children in the Keller community, the announcement said.