Ames, Iowa – March 6, 2017 – Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza promises to “Make People Happy with Pizza” when it opens in Ames, Iowa this spring. The new fast casual pizza brand will be located in the heart of Campustown at 2420 Lincoln Way and began construction in February. The nearly 2,800 square foot fast casual pizza restaurant will seat more than 80 guests directly across from the Iowa State University campus.
With a unique mixture of fast casual service, the smolder of oak wood, and fresh ingredients prepped and made daily, Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza aims to leverage its modern twist on the traditional cuisine.
“This franchise concept is not like any other pizza restaurant, and we’re delighted to introduce it to Ames, first,” said Todd Rognes, President of Campustown Hospitality Group, LLC, the owner of the Ames store. “Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza will offer a fun environment for the Campustown community to enjoy fresh, high-quality pizza baked in a real wood-fired oven.”
The new fast casual pizza concept includes a wood-fired oven fueled with burning oak wood to create a unique flavor unattainable with gas heat. The burning wood brings the temperature in the oven to 900 degrees Fahrenheit, and as a result, bakes a 10-inch personal pizza in just 90 seconds. “We want students to be able to enjoy a nice, affordable, and healthy meal in time to return to their busy day,” added Rognes.
The Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza brand touts its unique approach to pizza making by making its dough from scratch and using healthy, hand-crafted ingredients. “We hand chop our vegetables throughout the day, we roast our own meats, and we don’t even have freezers in our restaurants,” said Matt Mongoven, Chief Executive Officer of Fourth Avenue Restaurant Group, LLC, the Franchisor of Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza. “We make our dough from scratch every day, and we let it ferment for three days, which allows us to develop complex flavors and create a lighter, tastier crust.”
The Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza menu will feature more than 13 specialty pizzas, including a spicy pizza known as the “Cyclone,” a nod to the Iowa State University community. Guests will also be able to build their own pizza using a wide range of fresh ingredients. Even the pizza names, such as the “Italian Stallion” and “The Twist,” reflect the playful brand. The restaurant will also serve starters, salads, wood-fired sandwiches, and craft beer. The store has already started hiring staff and will continue to do so throughout March and April.
“We are building something special for the Ames community and are excited for the grand opening this spring,” said Rognes. “In the fall, I envision Cyclone fans joining us for Saturday football games with a pizza and a beer.”
Updates about the Ames Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza will be available at www.smokinoakpizza.com.
One Comment
Wish you were in Mashalltown