A Franklin restaurant is looking to add a second location and a Chicago-based pizza chain is planning to open a new restaurant all on the southside.
Next year, Greek’s Pizzeria and Tapp Room plans to open a new restaurant near the intersection of State Road 135 and Olive Branch Road in Greenwood, and Giordano’s plans to open a location along U.S. 31, just north of County Line Road.
Both restaurants plan to open at the sites of former eateries that have closed in recent years along major southside thoroughfares.
For Jason Tapp, who owns Greek’s Pizzeria and Tapp Room in Franklin, this will be his second venture in Johnson County. Tapp opened the Franklin location in the beginning of 2016, combining a selection of local microbrews to the Greek’s Pizzeria franchise. With two years of experience and permission to open another location from the Indiana-based franchise, Tapp said he believes that he is ready to move forward and expand, this time in his hometown of Greenwood.
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Click here to purchase photos from this galleryThe Greenwood location, which is about 3,000 square feet, will be smaller than the 5,000-square-foot Franklin spot, but it will offer outdoor seating, Tapp said.
Renovations to the new location, which was formerly Beefcake Burgers, started about a month ago and are in the beginning stages. They have torn down a wall to open up space in the dining area and are now working to build a bar inside. Once done, he expects the combined indoor and outdoor seating to be enough for about 100 people.
The menu will be the same as the Franklin location, but the selection of beers they have on tap will likely be smaller due to the size of the restaurant, Tapp said. The restaurant hours will be similar, but may be open for lunch on Mondays, he said.
The goal is to offer the same family friendly-atmosphere as the Franklin restaurant, Tapp said.
“I’m just really excited about expanding what I’ve put in Franklin and hope that it is received just as positively in Greenwood,” he said.
The restaurant should employee about 30 people, including drivers who will deliver to residents in Greenwood and the Center Grove area.
Giordano’s, the Chicago-based pizza chain, has recently opened two restaurants in Indianapolis, prior to proposing a new southside location.
The restaurant, which is currently under construction at the site of the former Max and Erma’s restaurant at 1901 East Stop 13 Road, just north of County Line Road along U.S 31, will be the company’s third location in Indianapolis, company spokesperson Jessica Wenson said.
The restaurant is scheduled to open next spring and will employ about 100 to 120 people, she said.
