MOD Pizza, known for its affordable, artisan-style, customized pizzas, announces it will open its sixth Seattle-area location at the newly renovated Seattle Center Armory/Center House.
The opening is in conjunction with the 50th anniversary celebration of the Seattle Center and the Space Needle, and the opening of the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit. The store opening is slated for June 16, 2012.
MOD Pizza opened its first location in the fall of 2008 and has since grown the company to five locations. The company plans to open two more stores in the Seattle area before the end of 2012.
“We have spent the past few years fine tuning our brand and connecting with our customers in order to understand the potential of the MOD brand," says Scott Svenson, who co-founded MOD Pizza with his wife Ally. “With the Seattle Center opening, and a plan for two additional locations to open prior to the fall, we are extremely excited to be ramping up the expansion of MOD Pizza."
MOD Pizza founders Scott and Ally Svenson started Seattle Coffee Company in London in 1995, growing the brand from three to 65 stores in fewer than 24 months, while introducing England to the world of made-to-order espresso drinks and the coffee bar culture. In 1998 Starbucks acquired Seattle Coffee Company as its entry into the European market.
Scott Svenson remained on as president of Starbucks U.K., and subsequently president of Starbucks Europe, during which time he authored the company’s European Strategic Plan.
The co-founder of Top Pot Doughnuts, Michael Klebeck, also played an instrumental role in developing the MOD brand in its early stages. In addition, a seasoned group of advisors share the founders’ vision for growth: Lindsey Schwartz (president and CEO, Schwartz Brothers Restaurants), Adam Brotman (VP Digital Ventures, Starbucks), Jim Alling (COO T-Mobile, formerly president of U.S and international operations, Starbucks) and Paul Twohig (COO Dunkin’ Donuts, formerly senior VP, retail operations, Starbucks, and COO of Panera Bread).
