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Franchisee brings Rocco’s Pizza to Bolivar

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A new pizzeria is on the map in Polk County with the May 8 opening of Rocco’s Pizza of Bolivar LLC.

Franchisee Kevin Allen renovated a 92-year-old building at 213 S. Main Ave. to launch the newest Rocco’s Pizza shop. He said it’s the ninth in the Ozarks for the family-owned franchise, which started in 1969 in New Jersey by the Palazzolo family. Other area Rocco’s Pizza restaurants are in Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Republic, Branson and Monett, with a food truck in Rogersville.

“My grandkids are really the ones who wanted me to do it. If there’s somebody to blame, I’d say the grandkids,” Allen said of the new business venture.

It’s not the first Rocco’s Pizza for Allen, who operated a franchise in Marionville with wife Denise, from 2009 to 2015. The couple exited the business after Denise became ill with a neurological condition.

Family connections were a key to choosing Bolivar as the new restaurant site, Allen said, adding the building formerly housed numerous eateries, including D’s Nifty Cafe and Naomi’s Cafe.

Allen declined to disclose the franchise fee, and Rocco’s Pizza’s website doesn’t list one. However, including the fee, building purchase and renovations, he said startup costs came in under $100,000.

“The restaurant was in very bad disrepair. It was a complete remodel, complete gut job,” Allen said, adding he did most of the work himself.

At the Bolivar shop, the menu has over a dozen pizza options, including chicken bacon ranch, buffalo chicken and Hawaiian, with most priced at $8.50 for a personal 9-inch to $18.25 for a 16-inch extra large. Subs, calzones and salads also are served.

Allen said only carryout is available at this time. He’s awaiting more guidance from local health officials before opening up the dining room. There’s currently no date set for offering dine-in service amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m just talking with the health department and trying to make a good decision,” he said. “We’re just kind of waiting to see what happens.”

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