&pizza is coming to the city of brotherly love.

The D.C.-founded chain of community-focused pizza shops known for its devoted ampersand-tattooed employees, handmade pies, and craft sodas is bringing its signature brand to Philly on October 13th. &pizza’s first Philadelphia shop is located at 1430 Walnut Street, right in the heart of Center City.

On opening day, free pies will be given to the first 215 guests in line (a nod to the 215 area code). The first five guests in line who request a tattoo of the brand’s signature ampersand, will receive it gratis, in addition to free pizza for a year. The brand makes the same offer to its employees – the &pizza Tribe – and to date more than 60 Tribe members have signed their allegiance on skin.

This is the brand’s 17th shop and first outside the D.C. area. For &pizza, Philadelphia embodies what their trademark ampersand has come to be represent – a “go anywhere, do everything” lifestyle.

&pizza also commits itself to each and every new neighborhood it joins. That’s why every shop is designed to reflect the neighborhood it serves. For &pizza Walnut, the brand partnered with local architectural firm [BOX]WOOD to bring the shop to life with dramatic Philly flair. In addition, legendary local muralist and paper cutout artist Joe Boruchow has designed a mural, for the shop’s interior, that reflects the people, history, and architecture of the city.

Additionally, through &CHARITY, the brand’s localized charity arm, &pizza will launch its signature Buy One, Give One campaign for Friday, October 14 and Saturday, October 15. For every pizza sold on those two days, &pizza will donate a pizza to either the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program or The Attic Youth Center, two respected local charities.

“Philadelphia’s vibe and growing culinary landscape make this city our ideal first stop outside of the DC area,” says &pizza founder Michael Lastoria. “We’re looking forward to growing our Tribe becoming part of such a thriving and historic neighborhood on our journey to dominate.”

THE MENU: &pizza prides itself on serving up experiences in addition to fresh pizza. Guests have the opportunity to craft their own individual pie (with unlimited ingredients) or choose from nine signature pizzas, such as the meat heavy Maverick, the egg-topped Farmer’s Daughter, or the Gnarlic (exactly what you think, but so much better), each one with its own unique flavor profile. The pizza shop uses fresh ingredients and works with local producers to create its signature and seasonal menu of pizzas, snacks, craft sodas and artisanal teas. Guests can order ahead on the app or dine-in. &pizza has created a product that is distinctly their own, and opportunity for its employees and customers to be part of something greater that gives back to the community, from its innovative hiring practices to its &CHARITY program.

THE COMMUNITY: Building upon the company’s mission of strengthening and enriching the local community through service, &pizza’s charitable arm, &CHARITY, exists as a structured program for giving back. Since 2012, &pizza has worked with more than 800 local and national community groups and nonprofits, and is always looking for more.

Follow &pizza on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook at @andpizza, and visit their site at www.andpizza.com.

Marilyn Johnson

Food enthusiast. Travel lover. Social media maven.
Independent Journalist. Food marketing/PR expert.
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