DELAWARE INC

Grotto Pizza returns to Middletown

Scott Goss
The News Journal
Grotto Pizza opened its new Middletown location off U.S. 301 on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

Grotto Pizza is back in Middletown after a nearly decadelong absence.

Delaware’s most iconic pizza chain on Tuesday officially opened its newest restaurant in New Castle County’s fastest-growing town.

“We’ve been looking to return to Middletown for years because the town’s expansion has been huge,” company spokesman Vinnie DiNatale said. “Finding the right location also was key, and we think we’ve found it.”

The new 9,000-square-foot restaurant and sports bar is located just off U.S. 301 on Autopark Drive near Home Depot and the Amazon Fulfillment Center, which employs about 2,500 workers.

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Grotto Pizza previously operated a restaurant in Middletown from 2003 to 2007 that mostly focused on takeout service. Since that location closed, the town’s population has jumped by 80 percent to roughly 20,000. Built by Silicato Development, the restaurant also is located next to land zoned for a future hotel and just a few miles from the future Delaware Sports Complex, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors to its 36 athletic fields later this year.

“It is amazing to see how much Middletown has grown over the years,” Grotto Pizza founder Dominick Pulieri said in statement. “This is a thriving community, and we are proud to open a Grotto Pizza at this location. I couldn’t be happier.”

Middletown Mayor Kenneth Branner puts his arm around Grotto Pizza founder Dominick Pulieri during a soft opening for the iconic Delaware pizza chain's new Middletown location on Tuesday, April 19, 2016.

The new standalone restaurant seats 250 customers and features 35 high-definition television. Two private dining rooms also are available, each with room for 36, that can be opened into one large private room for 80 guests.

In addition to marking a return to Middletown, the restaurant also replaces a former location on U.S. 40 in Bear that closed in late 2014.

“The Bear location was much smaller and only had about 20 employees,” DiNatale said. “This location fits our large dining room, private rooms and sports bar model that guests really like about the Grotto Pizza dining experience.”

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Hiring is still underway, and prospective employees can submit an application online by visiting www.grottopizza.com.The Middletown Grotto Pizza will employ more than 85 full- and part-time workers.

With the new addition, Grotto Pizza now operates 23 locations, including 16 in Delaware.

The 56-year-old chain was inducted into the Pizza Hall of Fame in 2015.

Contact business reporter Scott Goss at (302) 324-2281, sgoss@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @ScottGossDel.