PizzaForno, heralded as “North America’s first automated pizzeria,” is gearing up for the grand opening of its inaugural Maryland location at 8750 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring on March 22, from 4-7 pm. The event promises complimentary pizza, lively family-friendly music, games, and an exciting “Enter to Win” contest, offering two lucky winners the chance to enjoy free pizza for an entire year.
At the helm of this expansion is A.J. Grillo, the Master Licensee whose journey in the hospitality industry commenced at age 16 as a busser and host at TGI Fridays in Springfield. His early experiences ignited a passion for exceptional service, leading him to pursue studies in Communication and Criminal Justice at the University of Louisville. Grillo’s career trajectory saw him rise through the ranks, spending over 14 years with TGI Fridays, ultimately attaining the position of General Manager with United Restaurant Group in Richmond, helmed by his father, Tony Grillo, the second largest franchisee of TGI Fridays with 32 restaurants under its umbrella.
Driven by a commitment to excellence and innovation, Grillo is excited about spearheading the introduction of PizzaForno to Maryland and beyond. He envisions installing units in universities, hospitals, apartment complexes, and other locales where convenient, round-the-clock access to high-quality pizza would be valued. While Maryland remains a focal point for expansion, Grillo has his sights set on introducing the brand to Virginia and Washington D.C. as well.
Les Tomlin, Co-Founder and President of PizzaForno, expresses confidence in the brand’s growth under Grillo’s stewardship, emphasizing their dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction. With plans to operate 25,000 units by 2028, PizzaForno is poised for rapid expansion, prioritizing locations that can benefit from its cutting-edge technology. Accessible 24/7 via a digital interface, PizzaForno offers a diverse selection of pizzas crafted from top-quality ingredients, available for easy ordering and pick-up through the PizzaForno app, ensuring convenience and accessibility for customers worldwide.
To learn more about PizzaForno and their licensing opportunities, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/become-a-licensee/
ABOUT PIZZAFORNO
Founded in 2018 by Canadian entrepreneurs William Moyer and Les Tomlin, PizzaForno is North America’s only automated pizzeria which introduces high quality pizza in less than three minutes. Accessible 24/7 at the tap of a digital screen, PizzaForno offers a selection of pizza options, each made with high quality ingredients. Utilizing technology made popular in France by ADIAL, PizzaForno has built the brand on a proven foodtech platform with already 2,200 operating in Europe. PizzaForno currently has over 70 operating locations and over 100 additional locations committed in the U.S. alone, with the first 15 U.S. locations already established in California, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, and Louisiana. In 2020, PizzaForno was honored with the Restaurants Canada 2020 Innovation Award. To learn more about PizzaForno, visit https://www.pizzaforno.com/. To inquire about the licensee opportunity, visit https://pizzaforno.com/licensing.
