Dave Goebel, of Kansas City, is about to do what he does best: open a restaurant. Most recently between Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs and Y-Leave Café, and his former job as CEO of Applebee’s, he knows the right ingredients for a successful restaurant. And this next one promises to be a hit.

 

As one of the first franchisees for the up-and-coming brand, today Goebel announced that he will open the first Pie Five Pizza Co. in the region at 13366 Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park later this summer.

 

“I am a big believer that your early restaurants should be your flagships with big volume and great presence in the city,” Goebel says. And this site has it all, he added, as he plans for a big opening while looking at how soon and how quickly he will expand.

 

In business with two of his sons, Kerry and Kevin, as operating partners, the family will be instrumental in guiding the growth for the brand in the area.

 

Part of a 10-store agreement for the Kansas City market, Goebel is moving quickly into the fast-casual pizza industry with big plans to show guests how to enjoy one of the most popular foods in America.

 

Local residents will soon be treated to handcrafted pizzas tailor-made in front of them with fresh ingredients, and then baked and ready to eat in less than five minutes.

 

The concept and its distinctive menu are already making national headlines and winning awards for redefining the pizza industry. Pie Five has been named a 2013 Top 50 Restaurant Brand of the Year, a 2012 Hot Concepts winner by Nation’s Restaurant News, and one of “10 Hot New Restaurant Chains from Established Brands” by Forbes.com.

 

Goebel plans to win the stomachs of local guests, and hiring for the first Pie Five restaurant will begin soon. He expects to employ 25 people for the restaurant, and that staff will grow to some 300 employees in the 10 total locations planned for the market.

 

Pie Five currently has 10 locations in Texas, a location in Utah, and franchise agreements for another 37 restaurants to-date in Utah; Charlotte, North Carolina; Florida; and Kansas City.