Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza, an emerging fast-casual pizza brand, is expanding to a new market with the announcement of its new franchise location set to open this summer in the greater St. Louis market. Husband and wife, Raj Singh and Khush Gill, evaluated several other national-brand franchise opportunities before deciding to open their own Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza.

“The franchise model Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza offers works well for us,” Singh said. “The support model provides everything from site selection assistance, use of the commercial real estate team, strong brand guidelines, marketing support, furniture and fixture selection, equipment selection – everything needed to get the store open with a grand opening that results in return business. In addition, the quality and taste of the menu items is incredible. Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza was exactly what we were looking for.”

Singh and Gill were also fond of the fresh, never frozen ingredients, the unique wood-fired cooking method, quick service and competitive pricing. “We’ll offer a real wood-fired pizza quicker and for less cost than most other pizza restaurants,” Singh said. “That is something we are really looking forward to providing this community.”

Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza opened its first franchise in Ames, Iowa, in 2017 near the campus of Iowa State University. The brand successfully found its sweet spot in the convergence of taste, value and efficiency. In a crowded, expanding fast-casual marketplace, Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza prides itself on the things that set it apart from their competitors – always fresh ingredients, wood-fired cooking and providing an excellent guest experience.

“For around 10 dollars, you can get a pizza and a soda and be in-and-out in 10 to 15 minutes,” said Matt Mongoven, Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza Chief Executive Officer. “Or, if you want to enjoy a beer or glass of wine and hang out with your friends and family you can do that too. Our guests dictate the pace.”

As for Singh and Gill, Mongoven is confident they are a great addition to the Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza family. “Their enthusiasm, business acumen and commitment to their community came across loud and clear,” Mongoven said. “A franchise is like a marriage. It has to be the right fit. We know that Raj and Khush are a perfect fit for our brand.”

Singh shared that his favorite menu item is the Buffalo Chicken Pizza. The popular pizza includes chicken, buffalo sauce, banana peppers, mozzarella, green onions, bleu cheese dressing and raspberry sauce. “It’s delicious,” Singh said, “and in a few months everyone in the greater St. Louis area will finally have the chance to try the phenomenal taste of Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza.”

Mongoven added, “Pizza baked in a wood fired oven is different and unmatched by any other baking method. Freshness is important to how consumers approach food and we are proud of the fact that everything we have in the restaurant is fresh and that our franchisees are able to deliver high quality food at a reasonable price.”

For additional information about Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza, visit SmokinOakFranchise.com or call 800-656-0779.