Late last month Mississippi-based
Lost Pizza Co. made its entry into the Memphis market, opening up at the former location of Ronnie Grisanti’s in the Midtown Chickasaw Gardens area, and the restaurant is already making a big impact on the local community. A portion of the restaurant’s first week’s sales (roughly $8,000) is going to help the
Junior League of Memphis.
“They have a long list of green initiatives and community projects that they are doing to better the city of Memphis,” says franchisee Will McPherson, who owns Lost Pizza with his brother, Jones.
The McPhersons struck a deal last year to open three Lost Pizza Co. franchise locations, including in Memphis; Jackson, Miss. (opening this summer); and a third still to be determined.
“I look at Memphis as a great city that takes pride in its food and its restaurants, and I thought there would be a market for Lost Pizza’s fast casual concept,” says McPherson, whose father owns several Krystal’s and Church’s Chicken franchises and serves as the brothers’ advisor.
The brothers’ three locations will take the young Lost Pizza franchise’s overall total to 10.
Memphis Lost Pizza GM Nathan Bodkin feels Lost Pizza’s atmosphere sets it apart from its competition. The Memphis location’s décor has a bluesy, rustic Delta theme with an antique gas pump, old Coca-Cola machine, and even half of a VW van designed into one of its walls.
“And I don’t think you will find a friendlier staff,” says Bodkin, who points out that the Memphis location is the first Lost Pizza to have a full bar (which includes four local breweries on tap – Wiseacre, Memphis Made, Ghost River and High Cotton).
Most importantly, Lost Pizza uses fresh ingredients and makes its own pizza sauce and dough. Its specialty pizzas include the “Lucille,” made with chicken, bacon, roasted garlic, fresh tomatoes and a ranch drizzle. The pizza is named after B.B. King’s guitar since Lost Pizza was founded in B.B.’s hometown of Indianola, Miss.
The McPhersons hope to open more Memphis-area locations in the future, with the next possibly being in Germantown or Collierville.
By Michael Waddell
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