Oggi’s Sports Brewhouse Pizza, a San Clemente-based restaurant chain known for its signature build-your-own pizzas and craft beers, is gearing up to expand its Southern California footprint with three new Inland Empire locations.
The company has finalized a franchise agreement with Jerry Bajwa, whose current franchise portfolio includes restaurants, gas stations and convenience stores. Bajwa plans to open his first Inland Empire location at the northeast corner of Highland Road and Sierra Avenue in Fontana by the end of the year. He’s scouting out additional sites for the remaining restaurants.
“I’ll probably open the other two very soon after Fontana,” the 27-year-old Rancho Cucamonga entrepreneur said. “They will most likely be in areas of new development.”
Some history
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The Oggi’s franchise was originated by brothers George and John Hadjis, who launched their first restaurant in Del Mar in 1991 as a franchise of an existing local pizza chain. Over the years, their concept evolved from a pizzeria-style eatery into a sports-themed restaurant.
They later tapped into the exploding micro-brewery scene, adding boutique beers to the mix. The resulting sports-themed chain has evolved into a family-friendly environment with a broader customer base.
Oggi’s has 14 Southern California locations in Santa Clarita, Upland, Fullerton, Barstow, Apple Valley, Garden Grove and Encinitas, as well as its 15th restaurant in Glendale, Ariz.
“The Arizona restaurant is 15 to 16 years old,” said Estella Ferrera, the company’s vice president. “That used to be a thriving market, but when the recession came along that area got hit hard. It’s actually kind of a volatile market, so we didn’t pursue that region for further growth.”
Award-winning beers
Oggi’s offers an array of microbrews that include California Gold Blonde, Torrey Pines IPA, McGarvey’s Scottish Ale, Black Magic Stout and Hoppily Ever After. In 2004, Oggi’s was named the Champion Small Brewing Company at the World Beer Cup.
“Our beers are brewed at a facility in San Clemente and we self-distribute them to our restaurants within a couple of days, so it’s pretty much like they are brewed right on site,” Ferrera said.
The restaurant’s menu features signature pizzas, pastas and desserts. Customers can build their own pizza or choose from a variety of styles, including Lightning, Triathalon, Slam Dunk and Wimbledon. Each location has 10 original brews on tap at a time, including one seasonal and one barrel-aged. Oggi’s is the exclusive pizza sold at Angel Stadium in Anaheim and it can also be found at San Diego County Credit Union Stadium where the Aztecs (formerly the Chargers) play.
Bajwa, who owns additional franchises with Del Taco, WaBa Grill, Arco AM PM, Circle K and Mobil, is excited to add Oggi’s to the mix.
“They have lots of fans out there but there aren’t a lot of outlets here in the Inland Empire,” he said. “Oggi’s is nice because it’s geared toward a family-friendly atmosphere combined with sports”