According to Nation’s Restaurant News, “Three pizzeria chains with roots in the South — The Original Italian Pie, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza and Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers — have plans to accelerate growth around the country.”

“Atlanta-based Big Game Brands, owner of The Original Italian Pie, said the 13-unit full-service chain expects to nearly double in size by opening 12 new pizzerias in the Southeastern United States by the end of 2012. Big Game Brands, formerly Raving Brands, plans to open its first corporate Original Italian Pie in Charlotte, N.C., in early May, said Daryl Dollinger, Big Game Brands president. A new franchised location also is set to debut in New Orleans this summer, Dollinger said.”

Read more: http://nrn.com/article/southern-pizza-chains-expand#ixzz1KAPRqRO4