When SPIN! Pizza opened on December 26 following the Christmas holiday, its Missouri, Kansas and Texas locations featured the biggest changes in its 13-year history, including a slightly altered name and updated logo. The changes were guided by extensive testing at one Kansas City location and feedback from a guest survey on the perception of SPIN! in the current restaurant environment. The now officially named SPIN! Pizza—which was founded in 2005 as SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza—will roll out the changes at its Nebraska, California and Warrensburg, Missouri, locations in the first quarter.

Known for its award-winning, fresh, artisan food in an atmosphere that appeals to all ages, SPIN! Pizza is focused on delivering an even better value and enhanced experience, says Founding Partner Ed Brownell.

Simplified new menu boards make it easier to order and almost all the Italian words have been replaced with easier-to-pronounce English equivalents. Exciting new food and beverage options have been added. Changes were made not only in the restaurants but also online with a new, easier to navigate web site that includes images of all food items, information about vegan and gluten free options, and more.

“Our new menu, inspired by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael Smith who helps develop our menu, has been in test mode at a Kansas City location since summer,” says Brownell, who has extensive experience in multi-unit operations. “Based on feedback from our guest survey, the revised menu has been a huge success. We look forward to offering it in all of our restaurants.”

One of SPIN!’s new menu items is a larger 14 inch pizza offered in addition to the original 12 inch and 7 inch pizza sizes. Guests can create their own pizza or choose from a pared down list of 12 popular signature pizzas including a newly added Double Pepperoni. Topped with double the cheese and double the pepperoni, the sauce on the Double Pepperoni is a new “zesty red” made from a combination of SPIN!’s own herbed olive oil glaze and its traditional red sauce. In addition to these three sauces, a BBQ flavored pizza sauce will be offered.

Guests also have the option of creating a custom pizza by choosing the size, crust, sauce and their favorite toppings from a selection of over 30 meats, vegetables, nuts and more. Most pizzas on the retired menu still can be made in the restaurants, even if they aren’t listed on the menu.

Although the Arugula and Chopped BLT salads will no longer appear on the menu, the BLT salad still can be made at all locations. In addition, some locations will continue to stock arugula for guests who request the Arugula salad. Added to the menu will be a Chicken Cobb salad piled high with impeccably seasoned roasted chicken, creamy avocados, chopped eggs, grape tomatoes, gorgonzola cheese and bacon on a bed of fresh lettuce with a ranch dressing. The Chicken Cobb can be made gluten-free with the request of gluten free flatbread on the side instead of the traditional flatbread.

The sandwiches from the old menu have been replaced with two delicious new selections. The first is a Turkey Bacon Avocado with a fresh, Farm-to-Market baguette shmeared with creamy mayo and topped with slices of perfectly cooked turkey, crispy bacon, fresh avocado, ripe tomato, lettuce, crunchy onions and smooth white cheddar cheese. The second sandwich, the Italian, is a meat lover’s feast. It starts with thinly sliced Genoa salami, soppressata, capicola, and black forest ham then is layered with mayo, red wine vinegar, olive oil, classic provolone, lettuce, crisp onions, and juicy tomatoes piled high on a toasted baguette. Sandwiches are paired with chips or, for a small upcharge, guests can substitute salad or soup.

SPIN! Pizza’s original “Trio” dip appetizer will be replaced with a “Duo” featuring the popular White Bean Hummus and Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese dips. The Stuffed Mondo Pork Meatball, Roasted Eggplant, flatbread, and individual house-made dips will continue to be served.

SPIN!’s guest survey showed that patrons did not come to SPIN! for bottles of wine but, instead, wanted great wines by the glass. SPIN!’s wine sommelier has carefully crafted an improved wine selection with wines being served by the glass or carafe. SPIN! also will offer a BYOV (Bring Your Own Vino) for a small $5 corking fee. Other adult beverages include beer on tap, bottled beer and SPIN!’s two house-made Red and Blood Orange sangrias.

Those who love SPIN!’s authentic gelato made with real ingredients will now be able to enjoy the original small and large personal sized portions as well as two new options, pints and tubs, ideal for parties or catering.

Awarded numerous honors for its food, atmosphere and business acumen, SPIN! Pizza has 11 locations in its hometown market of Greater Kansas City including college towns Warrensburg, Mo. and Lawrence, Ks. as well as locations in Texas, Nebraska and California.