In the Lone Star state, Dallas-based Pie Five Pizza Co. is best-known for its made-to-order artisan pizzas that are guaranteed to be "finished in five" minutes — hence the name. In the next five years, the fast-casual pizza chain plans to develop as many as 400 new company-owned and franchise locations across the country, starting with South Florida.
Though guests can choose from more than a million combinations (yep, sounds crazy but apparently the math works out — we'll just trust them on that) using farm-fresh ingredients, artisan sauces, and handcrafted crusts, the real hook here is that the pies bake in just 140 seconds in the chain's custom-designed, state-of-the-art oven.
"South Florida is attracting a lot of
Superfast, build-your-own pizza isn't completely alien to South Florida, however. The concept is similar to Flash Fire Pizza, a local fast-casual concept that recently opened in Fort Lauderdale. It even
Another local chain, Pizza Fusion, was the first to pioneer the idea of gluten-free pizza crusts in South Florida, back before it was trendy. And chain resto Mellow Mushroom is also known to serve a mean gluten-free pie.
Still, when it comes to fast-casual pizza, the more the merrier. Back at Pie Five, customers can add one of the freshly tossed hand-made salads served in a baked pizza dough bowl — because, of course — to any meal.
According to a news release, the fast-casual pizza chain plans to open
Pie Five's South Florida development will launch alongside similar multi-unit plans recently announced for New Mexico, Missouri, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Colorado, Kentucky, and Indiana. This is in addition to a company-owned expansion in Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas. Visit piefivepizza.com.
Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.