LAYTON — A pizza restaurant with deep Utah Valley roots is expanding into Davis County, but not before putting a new $1 million face on a highly visible vacated restaurant building in Layton.
Brick Oven has submitted plans to the city to occupy the building once occupied by Tony Roma’s, city economic specialist Ben Hart said.
"With the plan (submitted to the city) they can start to retrofit the building," Hart said of the building at 1508 N. Woodland Park Drive.
"It’s time to expand again. Davis County is a prime location for us," said Brett Hastings, one of three principal owners of Brick Oven, along with Jeff Creer and Dain Black.
Brick Oven, originally established in Provo in 1956 as Heaps of Pizza, in addition to expanding in Layton, has locations in St. George, Orem and Salt Lake City.
Hastings said the 160-seat Layton restaurant is scheduled to open around Oct. 1, following a $750,000 to $1 million renovation of the restaurant building that has remained vacant for a few years.
Project manager Ryan Ashby, with Stout Building Contractors of Centerville, said the construction retrofit involves interior and exterior work.
"It’s a face-lift," said Ashby, who is with the same company that did the work on the Brick Oven restaurant in St. George, and the Brick Oven store in Orem.
"The visibility is excellent," Hastings said of the Layton property, which provides easy access to those living in the communities on the west side of Davis County.
Nine months ago the restaurant opened a 225-seat restaurant in St. George, and because of its success wanted to expand into Davis County, Hastings said.
The Layton restaurant will hire 80 to 100 workers, with interviews beginning in two weeks, Hastings said.
Those interested in applying for a job can visit the property where a posted notice will give details about employment opportunities, he said.
"We’re excited to be in Layton," Hastings said.
Due to the visibility of the property, and its proximity to the Layton mall and movie theaters, city leaders are equally excited to have Brick Oven occupying a restaurant that has been vacant for two to three years.
"We’re filling an existing vacancy and bringing in an established tenant that is going to bring a lot of people into Layton city," Hart said.
Mayor Steve Curtis said Brick Oven’s decision to come to Layton is more good news for the city on top of the recognition Davis County recently received in Money Magazine as being ranked 18th in the country regarding job growth.
The county, in which Layton is its largest city, has experienced 31.5 percent job growth from 2000 to 2009, based on information in the magazine.
"It is a place where a vibrant community supports its businesses," Curtis said.
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