Oggi???s to Tap Fast Casual Trend

(VeteransFranchise.com) - By guy norcott. Updated Feb 18, 2015

Oggi’s to Tap Fast Casual Trend

San Clemente-based Oggi’s Pizza and Brewing Co. has opened an “express” location at the Village at Orange mall, marking the 23-year-old chain’s local entry into the fast-casual, build-your-own pizza arena.

The company’s first express location opened at San Diego State University last year.

Oggi’s had a traditional location at the Village next to Walmart, which it closed; it opened the express location in another part of the mall.

An Oggi’s executive said in a statement the company plans several express sites in Orange County.

Oggi’s also runs Left Coast Brewing Co. in San Clemente.

The chain has about 15 locations, with four in Orange County. A franchised Oggi's in Mission Viejo last year became an independent restaurant called High Park Tap House, but the chain also added a Fullerton location.

It ranked No. 29 on the Business Journal’s list of Orange County-based restaurant chains with an estimated $30 million in systemwide revenues.

Two other older OC-based pizza chains—ZPizza International Inc. in Newport Beach and John’s Incredible Pizza Co. in Rancho Santa Margarita—have recently responded to the fast-casual trend.

ZPizza has begun to roll out a “tap room” concept, while John’s plans to stick with its full-service approach.

Express locations plan to offer build-your-own pizzas, wings, salads and 20 craft beers.