New Pizza Ranch In Shorewood: Giant Sign Arrives

SHOREWOOD, IL — While thousands of Joliet area residents will be talking about April 10 — Olive Garden's grand opening day —for years to come, there might be some people who weren't thrilled that the enormously popular Italian restaurant franchise opened in Joliet.

Maybe they will be excited to know that an Iowa-based restaurant franchise that is known for its buffet-style pizza, chicken, wings, desserts and more is heading into the home stretch of opening the area's one and only Pizza Ranch Buffet.

This time, Shorewood gets the glory as the new Pizza Ranch is just north of U.S. Route 52, along the frontage road between the LaQuinta Inn & Suites and the EconoLodge.

Joliet Patch spoke with a project representative at the site Tuesday. He said the Pizza Ranch is expected to be open in two more months; that puts the tentative grand opening in mid-June.

In the coming weeks, Pizza Ranch plans to hire 50 to 60 employees for various positions in Shorewood. The hours will be flexible for teenage workers, and it's a friendly place to work, the representative said. "We're excited to be part of the community," he added.

The future Shorewood Pizza Ranch has a seating capacity of 264. Inside the restaurant are five separate party rooms. In addition, the Pizza Ranch Fun Zone Arcade features 24 games, including Mario Kart and virtual reality games.

On Tuesday, the Integrity Sign Company was on the site to install the gigantic Pizza Ranch Buffet advertising sign that will be seen by motorists traveling along Interstate 55.

The Pizza Ranch is at the Route 52/Jefferson Street exit for Joliet and Shorewood.

People interested in working at the Pizza Ranch are urged to visit the company's website, and type in the Shorewood location, to fill out their job application.

Pizza Ranch was started in Iowa and many of its restaurants are scattered throughout Iowa, but in recent years, the company has branched out.

"Today, with more than 200 franchised locations in fifteen states, Pizza Ranch is the largest, most recognized pizza chain in the Midwest—and showing no signs of slowing any time soon," the website proclaims.