Lou Malnati’s pizza announces 5th Valley location will open in September

PHOENIX — A Chicago-based deep dish pizzeria announced it will make Mesa home to its fifth Valley location.

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria is set to open a 2,100-square-foot space at Baseline Road and Val Vista Drive in late summer, the company said last week in a press release.

The location won’t include a dining room, but will provide curbside pick-up, no-contact delivery and drop-off catering services.

The company said that Mesa has “long been part of their expansion plans.”

“Since our first location opened in Arizona, we’ve been welcomed with open arms and are so grateful to our loyal fan base,” Marc Malnati said in a statement.

“Our team is excited to expand in the Valley and make a home in the vibrant and thriving city of Mesa.”

Malnati’s anticipates hiring 50 employees across various positions, including delivery drivers, kitchen crew and phone staff.

In addition to operating the pizzeria, the company will support the local community through fundraising and youth incentive programs, donation programs, and working with local charitable organizations in Mesa and nearby communities, the release said.

Malnati’s opened its first Valley location in central Phoenix in 2016, followed by a second site in the city’s Arcadia neighborhood, then Scottsdale and Glendale.

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