Local pizza chain: We will open 20 new restaurants in next 8 months

The newest Rapid Fired Pizza — the 15th in just 18 months for the Kettering-based chain — is now open in suburban Columbus, and the chain's founders say they expect to have 35 open by the end of 2017.

The most recent Rapid Fired location is located at 3646 Fishinger Blvd. in Hilliard, northwest of Columbus. The new restaurant — owned and operated by franchisees Steve and Mary Collins — opened Monday and is gearing up to hand out 500 free pizzas on Saturday, April 8, according to Kelly Gray, one of Rapid Fired Pizza’s founders.

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Two weeks ago, Rapid Fired opened its 14th location on (Ohio 48) just north of I-70 in Englewood, and it has signed multiple franchise agreements inside and outside the Miami Valley to help fuel its expansion.

Rapid Fired restaurants have a quick-service concept, utilizing a serving line in which customers pick out the toppings for their 11-inch thin-crust or 9-inch pan pizza. Customers can choose from eight sauces, eight cheeses, more than 30 toppings, and 19 dipping sauces to build their pizza, or try one of the 10 craft pizzas on the menu.

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Multiple salads as well as bread sticks, “Cini Sticks” and desserts are available at every store. A “Pepsi Spire” provides over 120 drink combinations. And many Rapid Fired locations offer craft beer by the bottle.

The chain launched its first restaurant in September 2015 in Washington Twp. and has opened several more in succession in the last 18 months, including locations in Fairborn, Sugarcreek Twp., Huber Heights, Kettering, Englewood, Springfield, Middletown, Lima, Oxford, Greenville, and Montgomery in northern Cincinnati.

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Additional locations are in various stages of development in Troy, Beavercreek, Sandusky, Bowling Green, Westerville, Hilliard, Union Twp. and Florence, Ky., among others.

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