Local restaurant chain heads west, will open new restaurant in California Monday

As of this Monday, Oct. 22, a locally based restaurant chain can boast they’ve taken an important step toward launching its concept and brand from sea to shining sea.

>> Your guide to the best Dayton-area pizza 

With the scheduled opening of its 25th overall location in Fremont, California, on Monday, Kettering-based Rapid Fired Pizza will make its debut on the west coast, after having already crossed state lines with restaurants operating in Indiana and Kentucky. Other locations are in the works in Texas, South Carolina, Tennessee and North Carolina, and a deal is in place to expand into West Virginia as well.

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The California franchise deal could lead to as many as 60 Rapid Fired Pizza locations across the state over the next decade, the pizza chain’s founders have said.

>> Dayton-area company to open 60 restaurants in California (2017)

And, of course, Rapid Fired operates 22 restaurants within the Buckeye state, including a dozen spread throughout the Miami Valley.

Rapid Fired Pizza opened its first restaurant in late 2015 on Miamisburg-Centerville Road in Washington Twp., and its founders include Ray Wiley, co-founder of Hot Head Burritos, who previously operated Subway franchise shops in the region.

>> Daytonian of the Week: Ray Wiley, co-founder of Rapid Fired & Hot Head

The locally based chain’s quick-cook concept offers thirteen craft pizzas or an almost infinite number of build-your-own pizza options, which cook in three minutes in a high-temperature oven.  Rapid Fired features eight sauces, eight cheeses, over 30 toppings, and fourteen dipping sauces. Salads, calzones, breadsticks, and desserts are also available.

>> Local pizza chain to open 44 new locations in Texas (2017)

Rapid Fired recently added a few new twists to its menu and concept, including larger 14-inch pizzas at some locations, delivery at some locations, and, most recently, Pasta Bowls, including options such as Chicken Carbonara Bowl with Chicken, Bacon, Tomatoes, Alfredo Sauce and cheese and the Spicy Meatball Bowl.

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