Austin Pizza Chain Via 313 Plans To Expand Beyond Texas

The Detroit-style pizza that got its start in Austin is going national.

Via 313 announced Tuesday that locations are planned for Cedar Park and Round Rock for the next year. The owners, Brandon and Zane Hunt, plan to expand Via 313 to San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas, according to Austin 360.

The Hunt brothers want to eventually expand into Utah, Oklahoma, and Colorado. They already have five locations in Austin.

The duo started the local chain in 2011 after moving to Austin from Detroit because they wanted to recreate the style of pizza they enjoyed as kids.

Via 313 is known for its thick crust, square cut pizza, but also its customer service. In previous interviews, the brothers said that they credit their success to focusing on customers and extending their hospitality to everyone they work with.

"We have to be there for everyone. It takes a community to support everything," said Brandon.

The expansion plans come two months after Via 313 was named the 2020 Pizzeria of the Year by Pizza Today.

Like other restaurants, Via 313 has been impacted by the pandemic, but the brothers say that they're doing much better than other eateries. They closed the dining rooms at their three brick-and-morter locations and switched to takeout only in March. The Hunts laid off or furloughed about 60% of their staff, but they plan to bring them back once they reopen their dining rooms.

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