Popular fast-casual brand Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint is celebrating the opening of its first Nebraska located at 2521 S 132nd St. in Omaha, Nebraska. The Orchard Plaza location is part of the create-your-own pizza chain's entry to the Midwest market and is the first of six Nebraska-area Uncle Maddio's restaurants planned.
Uncle Maddio's offers premium ingredients and customization. Guests choose from one of three crusts, including a gluten-free option, and 48 toppings, including six sauces, 27 vegetables, and 15 meats. For those with dietary restrictions, Uncle Maddio's serves up a huge selection of healthful options such as whole wheat and gluten-free crusts, hormone-free chicken, fresh, local vegetables, Daiya vegan cheese, and organic greens. Create-your-own signature salads and toasted panini sandwiches round out the Italian-style menu. The restaurant also offers a selection of craft beers and wine.
Nebraska’s first Uncle Maddio’s is owned and operated by Omaha native, Shawn Simmonds, who grew up in the restaurant business. His father, Mike Simmonds, developed and operated over 90 Burger King, Taco John's, and Jimmy John's restaurants in Nebraska and Iowa. Simmonds learned the business from him, and has a sharp focus on operational excellence, team building, and community involvement.
Before opening Uncle Maddio’s, Simmonds considered operating a number of other pizza brands and even chose one. But after meeting with Uncle Maddio’s experienced restaurant leadership team, he changed his mind and became an Uncle Maddio’s multi-unit franchisee. Simmonds plans a total of six Uncle Maddio's locations, with restaurants in Bellevue and Papillion, Nebraska, as well as Council Bluffs, Iowa, in the works.
"I've been interested in opening a pizza restaurant for a long time, and I know Maddio's fresh, build-your-own pizza and salad concept is just what the restaurant scene in Omaha needs," says Shawn Simmonds, Uncle Maddio's franchisee. "Uncle Maddio's offers the most options and the freshest ingredients available and will be a great addition to the community."
Since launching its aggressive growth plan in 2008, Uncle Maddio's has signed franchise agreements with 55 different entities in 18 states. Many of Uncle Maddio's franchisees have previous multi-unit experience with Jimmy John's, Firehouse Subs, Dairy Queen, McDonalds, Burger King, Krystal, Papa John's, Domino's, Golden Corral, and Five Guys. Uncle Maddio's is on track to have 300 restaurants open in five years with 1,000 units in development.
