(Press Release) SEATTLE, WA, September 11, 2012–Locally owned MOD Pizza, known for its affordable, artisan-style, customized pizzas, continues to expand, and announces the official opening of their seventh and eighth locations. The two stores are located in Redmond and Sammamish just outside of Seattle. The fast casual pizza pioneer, referred to as the “Chipotle of Pizza” also announced they will have plans in place to expand out-of-state within the year.
MOD Pizza’s aggressive growth of company-owned stores has been steady for the past four years. “We have been operating in ‘quiet mode’ painstakingly fine tuning and validating our business to position ourselves for smart growth. Since we have been operating, so many new brands have emerged across the country in this same niche which only serves to validate the opportunity that exists,” remarks co-founder Scott Svenson. “We now feel we are in a position to expand into other states. We will continue to evaluate other growth opportunities and strategic partnerships to maintain our leadership role in this niche,” notes Svenson.
The MOD Pizza concept was conceived in Seattle 2007 by northwest natives and husband and wife team Ally and Scott Svenson who sold their coffee business in the UK, Seattle Coffee Company, to Starbucks in 1998. Co-founder of Top Pot Doughnuts, Michael Klebeck, also played an instrumental role in developing the MOD brand in its early stages. In addition, a seasoned group of advisors share the founders’ vision for growth and include: Lindsey Schwartz (President and CEO, Schwartz Brothers Restaurants), Adam Brotman (Chief Digital Officer, Starbucks), Jim Alling (COO T-Mobile, formerly President of U.S and International Operations, Starbucks) and Paul Twohig (COO Dunkin’ Donuts, formerly Sr. VP Retail Operations, Starbucks, COO of Panera Bread). Chris Schultz, Director of Operations and 10-year veteran of Starbucks, runs MOD’s day-to-day operations with over 140 employees.
MOD Pizza Redmond is located in the Bella Bottega shopping center at 8900 161 Ave NE, Suite 165, Redmond, WA 98052. MOD Pizza Sammamish is located at 2283 NE 8th St., Sammamish, WA 98074 in the Sammamish Highlands Shopping Center. Both locations average 2400 square feet and have outdoor seating, 800 degree display ovens, party space and beer and wine. Hours are 11am-9pm daily.
ABOUT MOD PIZZA
MOD Pizza opened their first location in 2008. Since then, the pioneer of the fast casual pizza niche has been serving up artisan-style pizzas in their eight locations in the Greater Seattle area. MOD, which stands for “Made on Demand,” offers individual thin crust pizzas in less than five minutes, using their signature hand-made dough and red sauce, both of which are made fresh daily. All pizzas, regardless of toppings, are $6.88 and fired in 800 degree display ovens. Customers can create their own pizza, choosing from more than 28 featured toppings or choose from a menu with inventive selections such as the Caspian (mozzarella, gorgonzola, barbeque chicken, barbeque sauce, sliced red onions) and Lucy Sunshine (mozzarella, parmesan, artichokes, garlic, with dollops of their signature red sauce). MOD also offers a selection of salads along with draft beer, wine, pizza knots, milkshakes and old fashioned Ding Dongs.
LOCATIONS:
Downtown Seattle, Bellevue, University District, Capitol Hill, Alderwood, Seattle Center, Redmond, and Sammamish
