STRATEGIC PARTNERS
September 24, 2013
The Rock, Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits, a Seattle-based gourmet pizza and full-service restaurant, has announced a new franchise member and the opening of multiple new restaurants across North America. The growth includes three new markets and marks the most significant period of expansion in the company's history, according to a news release.
The Rock recently opened its newest locations in Edmonton, Alberta, and Salem, Ore., and is currently building its first location in Anchorage, Alaska, as well as opening a 12th Washington State location in Kennewick.
In addition, The Rock will enter the Southern California and Dallas markets in 2014. Opening dates for the new restaurants are as follows:
"We are excited to turn it up a notch with the addition of our Edmonton and Salem restaurants and look forward to opening in Anchorage and Kennewick very soon," said Don Bellis, co-founder and president of The Rock. "Each of the cities' diverse economic landscape, community atmosphere and vibrant arts and entertainment offerings are a great fit for our laidback, family-friendly restaurant concept."
The contractor for the 5,080-square-foot Edmonton restaurant was TJ Construction of Edmonton, Alberta, and the architect was David A. Clark Architects of Auburn, Wash. The new franchise restaurant is operated by Skyview Ltd. The existing location in Red Deer, Alberta, is operated by Sandy Nesbitt and the restaurant in Calgary is owned and operated by Royal Oak Ltd.
The contractor for the 7,563-square-foot Salem restaurant, the 20th installment of the Rock, was Break On Through Construction of Vancouver, Wash., and the architect was David A. Clark Architects of Auburn, Wash. The new franchise restaurant, located at 3610 Center Street Northeast, is owned by Hot Stone LLC, which also owns The Rock restaurants in Hillsboro and Wood Village, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash. Hot Stone LLC is also the franchise owner of the Kennewick location, slated to open in January 2014.
The new Anchorage restaurant, located at 3401 Penland Parkway, will be owned and operated by Gigandet and Bellis' Wedge Corp., which also owns the corporate Washington State locations in Seattle, Covington, Federal Way, Lake Tapps, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Renton, Puyallup, Lacey and Tacoma. The contractor of the 7,200-square-foot restaurant is Jackson Dean Construction of Tukwila, Wash., and the architect is David A. Clark Architects of Auburn, Wash. Wedge Corp. also plans to expand into Texas with three new locations opening in Dallas/Ft. Worth in early 2014.
Keep Rockin, LLC has granted Loverock LLC a four-store Area Development Agreement for The Orange County, Calif., market. Its first location will open in the first quarter of 2014. Loverock LLC is owned by Nick Mao and Drew Nelson
The Rock currently has 11 restaurants in Washington State, three in Colorado, three in Oregon and three in Alberta, Canada. Upon opening in Southern California and Dallas, The Rock will be available in six states and in one Canadian province.
The concept features a menu of rock-and-roll-inspired food, including pizzas, burgers, pastas, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, "Rocktails" and more. It first opened in 1995.
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