As Takeout Business Grows, Frank Pepe's In Fairfield Looks To Expand

FAIRFIELD, CT — With its takeout business booming largely due to the pandemic, Frank Pepe's in Fairfield is looking to add a slice to its Commerce Drive location.

The popular pizzeria has applied to the Fairfield Plan and Zoning Commission for permission to build a 980 square foot addition that will house an additional oven primarily for its takeout orders, according to attorney John Fallon, who represents Pepe's.

"2020 and 2021 were very successful years for Pepe’s Fairfield location," Fallon wrote in the application. "However, there was and continues to be a dramatic increase in takeout orders as a preference for many loyal customers. Having only one oven has limited Pepes ability to efficiently fulfill guest orders."

As a result, wait times for takeout orders have increased, with some customers having to wait for an hour for an order, especially during the busy periods of Thursdays through Sundays.

The second oven is expected to significantly reduce those wait times, Fallon said.

"The addition of the second oven will also provide an opportunity for the restaurant to offer enhanced service to those wishing to dine in at the restaurant as well," Fallon wrote, adding that Pepe's expects an increase in dine-in customers as the coronavirus becomes less of a problem.

Fairfield Plan and Zoning Commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing on the application during a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Fairfield Regional Fire School on Richard White Way.

Frank Pepe's opened the Fairfield location in 2006, and it quickly became a hit, serving the same famous thin-crust pizza as its original restaurant in New Haven. In fact, in 2019, the Fairfield site had to add parking because of its continued popularity.

Fairfield Economic Development Director Mark Barnhart said in an email to Patch that it is always a good thing "when businesses chose to reinvest and expand in our community." His office was thrilled to hear of the expansion plan.

"It’s certainly a testament to the strength of the local market and the support that Pepe’s enjoys from the Fairfield community," Barnhart said, adding that he recognizes that the expansion is pending a final decision by the commission.

"Pepe’s is an iconic brand, and a name that is virtually synonymous with brick oven pizza," he said. "We remember with pride that Fairfield was the first community selected for Pepe’s to expand beyond its original New Haven location."