A new pizza joint is set to open this summer at Northgate Square in Lutz.
Uncle Maddio’s, located at 3949 Van Dyke Road in Lutz, plans to open its doors in late August; it replaces the now-vacant Johnston’s Hallmark store next to the Publix Super Market.
It will be the first of five Tampa area locations for the create-your-own, fast-casual pizza franchise.
(Courtesy of Uncle Maddio’s)
The 3,500-square-foot dine-in restaurant will also feature a 300-square-foot built-in recessed patio.
Franchisee Mike Mateo, a first-time restaurant owner, said construction on the leasing area will begin within the next week.
“We’re waiting for some permits, but it’s a process,” Mateo said. “We’re turning what used to be a ‘dry’ retail location into a ‘wet’ retail location with it being restaurant space.”
The restaurant will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., but Mateo said he may alter the hours depending on customer feedback.
Uncle Maddio’s is labeled as a “next generation” pizza restaurant, allowing customers to build their own pizza exactly to their liking. Individual-sized pizzas are cooked in fast-baked ovens and typically served in about six minutes. Patrons can choose from one of three crusts, and 48 different toppings including 27 vegetables, 15 meats and six different sauces. Create-your-own salads and toasted “Foldwich” sandwiches are available, too.
Mateo said he “fell in love with the concept” after visiting a Tallahassee location, and believed the pizza chain would find success in the Tampa area.
“They have a great product, and they’re very consistent on the product and the service,” said Mateo, a retired division vice president for ATM technology company Diebold. “What drew me to the concept was that we were wowed from beginning to end.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
“We love the freshness of the ingredients; the fact that you can create your own (pizza), the ambiance and the energy of the Uncle Maddio’s restaurants is just unique.”
Mateo already has named Rich Richeson as the Lutz restaurant’s general manager, and Anna Stevenson as the assistant general manager.
“Those are the two key employees, and once they get trained…we should start recruiting the staff,” he said, adding he plans to have a total of 30 to 40 mostly part-time employees.
Unlike other well-known pizza chains, Uncle Maddio’s has no drive-thru or delivery.
“It’s just going to be a comfortable environment for you to sit in and be relaxed, and just enjoy a meal with family or friends,” Mateo said, noting alcohol options will be available. “The core dealing of it is that you’re comfortable and you’re not in a hurry to leave.”
Mateo and his wife, Ada, signed a five-unit agreement with the chain last year. He has targeted Carrollwood, New Tampa, Trinity, Westchase and Wesley Chapel as possible locations for the other Uncle Maddio’s sites.
“We’re not sure in terms of which one comes first, but we are looking at those locations and seeing what’s available,” Mateo said. “Our plan is to have a second one open next year; we are working with a realtor to look at locations for 2017 and 2018.”
Uncle Maddio’s currently has restaurants spread throughout North Florida, and recently opened stores in both Sarasota and Orlando.
Since its launching in 2008, Uncle Maddio’s has signed franchise agreements with 65 different entities in 19 states.
Published June 29, 2016
