A Beloved New York Pizza Chain is Coming to Iowa in 2023

A popular New York City pizzeria is looking to reign in 2023 by expanding into the Hawkeye State. By doing so, it will be competing with the likes of Pizza Ranch, Happy Joe's, Casey's, and many other staple pizza places in Iowa.

That place is Grimaldi's Pizzeria, a Brooklyn-based pizza chain that has expanded to several Midwestern states, including Kansas, Kentucky, and Wisconsin, in recent years. The Corridor Business Journal recently reported that Grimaldi's is planning on opening its first locations in Iowa.

While official locations for the five planned restaurants haven't been revealed, a correspondent from Grimaldi's told the CBJ that Ankeny, Waukee, Iowa City, and Ames are all being considered. Grimaldi's approved a multi-unit franchise development agreement for the state of Iowa with Doughtime Pizza Company, releasing this in a statement:

Through their experience owning and operating restaurants, as well as their knowledge of the Iowa markets, Doughtime Pizza Company is clearly the ideal partner to expand our franchise program to Iowa. The response since opening our first franchised location in Alabama has been overwhelmingly positive, and we look forward to continuing to grow our franchising program to introduce Grimaldi’s to communities across the country. - Grimaldi’s Pizzeria CEO Joseph Ciolli, per the Corridor Business Journal

Famous for their "coal-fired brick oven pizza," Grimaldi's predicates themselves on fresh ingredients and a comprehensive menu. Grimaldi's offers calzones, cauliflower pizzas, charcuterie boards, and more, while also carrying cocktails, wines, and craft beers.

At this time, the New York eatery has 40 locations across the United States. Their plans to use 2023 as an opportunity to expand continue as they've partnered with Tablez Food Company to make a splash internationally, with restaurants set to open in the United Arab Emirates as well as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.