The Rock Wood Fired Pizza, a once prodigious pizza chain based in Tacoma, Washington, is closing six of its remaining seven restaurants. The unique, flamboyant pizza brand announced the sad news on Facebook.
“After 30 amazing years serving our communities, we’ve made the difficult decision to close our Rock restaurants at Renton, Covington, Federal Way, Puyallup, Tacoma, and Lacey,” The Rock posted on Facebook. “This choice did not come easily—each restaurant has been part of countless family dinners, celebrations, and everyday moments shared with friends.”
The post went on to note that The Rock’s location in Auburn will remain open: “where the ovens are still hot, and the same great pizza and hospitality await.” Co-founder Don Bellis told the Tacoma News Tribune the economy was responsible for the six restaurant closures. “With the rising minimum wages, the rising commodity costs, [increased] rent, it’s very difficult to survive in business,” Bellis told the News Tribune.
Related: After Growing to 15 Stores in 16 Years, Piesanos Has Never Had to Close a Location
The Rock promotes things like “National Dummer Day” contests on its social media channels. (The Rock/Facebook)
The Rock Woodfired Pizza was founded by Bellis and Jay Gigandet in 1995 under its previous name, The Wedge. The founders were inspired to open the restaurant after visiting an unnamed wood-fired pizza joint in a “small New England coastal town.” As the duo began slinging pies, rock ‘n’ roll music emanated in the kitchen.
“What better way to enjoy your work than listening to your favorite music?” The Rock’s website reads. “‘Turn it up!’, the crew and guests would yell from the dining room. And so it began; The Wedge became The Rock,” or a Rock ‘n’ Roll-themed pizza restaurant.
The Rock became a cohesive brand, with Rock ‘n’ Roll legends adoring the walls, the pizzas named after bands, songs and albums. The pizza brand appears to have begun franchising, once claiming locations in Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Texas. More recently, The Rock had regressed to just the seven locations in Western Washington.
The Rock contributes to various local causes and features sensationalist Rock ‘n’ Roll-themed decor. (The Rock/Facebook)
According to news outlet My Northwest, The Rock’s menu includes fan favorites like the Free Bird Sandwich and its “Stairway to Heaven” specialty sauce. The menu is broken down into music-inspired segments: Opening Acts, Main Stage and Bonus Acts among them.
