WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 29, 2025) – &pizza, a rapidly rising star in the fast-casual pizza scene, will open its first West Coast location at Rio Hotel & Casino Las Vegas in Spring 2026, marking a major expansion milestone for the brand as it continues to grow beyond its East Coast roots and joins Rio’s revitalized dining lineup.
After launching its franchising strategy in March, &pizza has wasted no time accelerating growth beyond its East Coast roots. The brand has already inked multiple franchise agreements, paving the way for expansion into new markets nationwide. Twelve new restaurants are slated for Orlando, Atlanta, Charleston, and Raleigh, with additional conversations underway in other major cities, creating exciting opportunities to amplify buzz and deliver &pizza’s bold, unconventional approach to pizza to even more guests. The upcoming Rio Las Vegas location will be owned and operated by the resort.
“It’s been full throttle for &pizza this year, and we’re not letting off the gas anytime soon,” said Mike Burns, CEO of Latitude Food Group. “Our expansion goal is bold, and entering dynamic markets like Las Vegas is key to making it happen. Partnering with a legendary resort like Rio Hotel & Casino, which is investing heavily in its dining experience, is a major milestone that positions &pizza among other forward-thinking brands that recognize the opportunities ahead in this city.”
Not afraid to do things differently, &pizza has kicked the status quo to the curb and has delivered a vibe, creative menu, and an unshakable commitment to societal betterment that has earned the brand a cult-like following. The music is turned up, the atmosphere is electric, and employees are encouraged to be themselves. The real fun begins with the menu, which takes creativity right to the edge. Iconic pies such as The Farmer’s Daughter, Moonstruck, Elote Loco, and Pineapple Jak’d, as well as limited time additions such as the eyebrow-raising Dickle, bring its unique dough, sauces and drizzles to life, and are indicative of the unapologetic vibe the brand brings to the world of pizza.
“We’re excited to welcome &pizza to Rio Las Vegas as part of our ongoing transformation,” said Patrick Miller, President and CEO of Rio Hotel & Casino. “The brand’s creative approach to fast-casual dining aligns well with our focus on expanding bold, guest-driven food and beverage offerings.”
It’s been a year of major milestones for &pizza. Early strategic decisions – including reorganizing the menu for a better guest experience, cutting prices to deliver stronger value and announcing a new franchising program – helped reshape the brand’s trajectory and strengthen its market position. Those moves ultimately set the stage for &pizza’s acquisition of Tijuana Flats, a fast-casual Mexican concept in the Southeast, and the launch of Latitude Food Group, a new holding company created to guide both brands and fuel growth through multi-unit franchising with entrepreneurs looking to scale dynamic, multi-brand portfolios.
For more information about &pizza, please visit andpizza.com or find us on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or X.
For additional information about Rio Hotel & Casino, please visit riolasvegas.com or find them on Instagram, Facebook or X.
For more information about Latitude Food Group, please visit latitudefoodgroup.com.
ABOUT &PIZZA
Founded in 2012, &pizza is a mission-driven, culture carrying community dedicated to better flavor, quality ingredients, and community betterment. Part of Latitude Food Group, &pizza is proud to differentiate themselves, doing more for their workers by providing a livable wage, a socially conscious vision, and real action to help advance real social progress. &pizza has locations across the East Coast in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, and will soon be entering Nevada, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
ABOUT RIO HOTEL & CASINO LAS VEGAS
Rio Hotel & Casino, part of the Destination by Hyatt brand, is located just one block off the Las Vegas Strip on Flamingo Road. The resort features more than 2,500 suite-sized guestrooms, including 1,500 newly remodeled suites in the Ipanema Tower. Highlights include a reimagined 117,000-square-foot casino floor with 800 slot machines and 40 table games, a 3-acre pool paradise, and an evolving lineup of dining and nightlife options including Canteen Food Hall, Lapa Lounge, Luckley Tavern & Grill and the new addition of High Steaks Vegas by acclaimed Chef James Trees. With 220,000 square feet of convention and meeting space, the property is also well-suited for conferences, trade shows, and large-scale events. The entertainment program features a standout roster of resident shows, including the long-running magic duo Penn & Teller, the visually stunning WOW – The Vegas Spectacular, The Empire Strips Back, a sci-fi burlesque parody with cult appeal, Comedy Cellar, the West Coast outpost of the iconic New York comedy club and Marriage Can Be Murder Dinner Show, an interactive murder-mystery experience. For more information, visit riolasvegas.com and follow Rio on Facebook, Instagram and X.
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Media Contacts:
Kyle Kappmeier
BML Public Relations
973-337-6395
Kirvin Doak Communications
riolasvegaspr@kirvindoak.com