SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza has completed an agreement with the Parker Hospitality Group to develop SPIN! restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is the second franchise agreement for SPIN!, whose first franchise location recently was opened in Southern California by Hofman Hospitality Group. Parker Hospitality Group is headed by restaurant operator Jeffrey P. Parker.
New franchisee Parker, who has signed an agreement to open five restaurants in 7 years in San Mateo County with an option to open another five in Santa Clara County, is familiar with SPIN! through his friendship with HHG’s senior partner Brad Hofman. The two were classmates at Cornell University, where they earned degrees in Hotel and Restaurant Administration.
“I've been following SPIN! for over two years and think that the concept and menu will be really well received in the Bay Area,” Parker says. “Plus, I've worked closely with the SPIN! teams over the past few months, both in the restaurants in Kansas City as well as the new location in Orange, California. We are all very much on the same page when it comes to operations, branding, and culture.”
SPIN! is known for its artisan food made from fresh ingredients without the gourmet price, its eclectic, affordable premium wines, and its community involvement. SPIN! owners and operators Gail and Richard Lozoff and Edwin Brownell also developed Bagel & Bagel, which started in Kansas City, Missouri, and became Einstein Bros. Bagels.
“JP is a terrific restaurant guy,” says SPIN! co-owner Gail Lozoff. “His passion for the restaurant business is contagious. We’re so fortunate to have him add his energy, smarts, and experience to our franchise system.”
Co-owner Ed Brownell says Kansas City-based SPIN! is approaching the company’s entry into new strategically located markets through careful selection of franchisees. “We’d particularly like to attract culturally compatible experienced restaurateurs, like JP, who understand the industry, share our values, and have a demonstrated record of success,” Brownell says.
Parker worked for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Starbucks, and is part owner of the Toaster Oven sandwich shop chain which operates four locations in San Francisco.
SPIN!, which was founded in 2005, has five Kansas City area locations with a sixth under construction.
Ranked number one by Zagat among Kansas City pizza restaurants, SPIN! has been awarded “best pizza” by numerous Greater Kansas City’s publications, named one of the “Rest of the 101 Best Restaurants” in the nation by TheDailyMeal.com. Its architecture won Best of Show at the Mid America Design Awards, and the SPIN! brand has been featured in numerous graphic design publications.
SPIN!’s menu is created in collaboration with James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Smith.
In addition to a diverse selection of hand-spun, stone-fired traditional thin-and-bubbly crust, rustic whole wheat, and gluten-free pizzas, SPIN! serves an array of appetizers, soups, salads, signature Panini and Italian deli sandwiches, and gelato ice creams.
All of SPIN!’s soups, salad dressings, pizza toppings, and ingredients are prepared daily from fresh produce and meats. SPIN! takes the unique step of roasting all toppings and ingredients in its stone hearth ovens each day, including mushrooms, caramelized onions, artichokes, and even capers, pecans, pineapple, pine nuts, and pancetta.
SPIN!’s pizza dough is made fresh every day using several types of flour including one specially imported from Italy, and its gluten free crust is renowned for its flavor and texture. SPIN! offers both traditional Pizza Rossa (red pizzas with crushed tomato sauce) and Pizza Bianca (white pizzas with roasted garlic olive oil glaze), and a variety of hand-grated cheeses.
SPIN! serves a variety of affordable premium wines priced well below traditional restaurant prices. SPIN! also makes homemade white, red, and blood orange sangrias and offers a selection of craft beers.
In addition to its wines and artisan menu, SPIN! is recognized for its pioneering hybrid service model, which combines traditional fast-casual ordering in the restaurant’s lobby with a robust full-service experience at the table. The “premium fast-casual” system is appealing to diners who want to control the speed of their meal without sacrificing service.
