Soon, Nebraskans will get 50 million ways to enjoy fast-casual pizza. Mike Simmonds and Shawn Simmonds will open Nebraska’s first Uncle Maddio’s Pizza Joint in Omaha this fall. The restaurant will offer made-to-order pizza, salad, and sandwiches and will be the first of six units as part of the Simmonds’ multi-unit agreement. Additional locations are slated to open in Omaha, Bellevue, and Lincoln.
Shawn Simmonds grew up in Omaha and developed a passion for restaurants working for his father, Mike Simmonds. A franchisee of multiple concepts, Mike Simmonds developed and operated over 73 Burger King, Taco John's, and Jimmy John's locations in Nebraska and Iowa. Shawn Simmonds, an alumnus of University of Nebraska Omaha, is looking forward to working with his father and team to give Omaha a fresh way to enjoy pizza.
“We’re really excited about bringing the first Uncle Maddio’s to Nebraska and believe offering customized pizza topped with high quality ingredients, served in a casual environment is something our community will love,” says Shawn Simmonds. “Unlike what you’d find in a typical pizza place, Uncle Maddio’s has a broader appeal because you can build your pizza as healthy or indulgent as you want.”
From gluten-free crust and made-from-scratch sauces to local veggies and hand-made sausages, Uncle Maddio’s takes personalized pizza to a new level. Guests choose from a selection of 48 toppings including six sauces, hormone-free chicken, local vegetables, Daiya vegan cheese, and organic greens. The menu also features create-your-own salad and toasted panini sandwiches.
Uncle Maddio’s serves up pizzas in less than six minutes for $6.99. Fast casual is a growing trend in the restaurant industry as it aims to bring together a variety of options and fast, friendly service.
“The quality, speed, and the people make Uncle Maddio’s a unique experience. After a lot of thought it felt like the right brand for us to invest in. There’s so much potential and it will be a great fit for Nebraska,” Simmonds says.
Not only does Simmonds say he was impressed with Uncle Maddio’s focus on successful operations and ingredients, but the atmosphere of the restaurant also piqued his interest.
“It’s a really beautiful build-out—stainless steel, high quality equipment in the kitchen, and a vibrant, colorful dining area. It’s a place where you can comfortably and conveniently grab an affordable lunch or dinner that everyone in the family enjoys,” he says.
Matt Andrew’s entrepreneurial spirit drove him to create the Uncle Maddio’s concept in 2007. As the former president of Moe’s Southwest Grill, he knew the demand for fast casual and the potential of tapping into Americans’ love for pizza.
“Uncle Maddio’s is the fastest growing fast casual pizza brand and proves that people are looking for a way to enjoy a classic food in a new and different way,” Andrew says. “We’re excited about partnering with Mike and Shawn to bring a unique experience to Nebraska. The Simmonds family has a long history in serving up delicious food locally and we know that Uncle Maddio’s will be another great addition to that legacy.”
Uncle Maddio’s has seen growth in the past five years. In addition to the Simmondses’ locations in Nebraska, the franchisor has 165 units in development and continues to expand. Key markets include Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
