Riko's Pizza Expands to Ridgefield, CT

0:00It's March 23rd. Welcome in. This is Hartford News Today, where local news meets AI, I'm Corey with the story. Rico's pizza, the Connecticut favorite known for its ultra thin tavern style pies, is growing its footprint with a new spot in Ridgefield. The family-owned chain started in Stanford back in 2011, plans to open at 955 Ethan Allen Highway sometime in May or June. This will mark their 6th company run location and 13th overall. The Ridgefield set up spans two floors, with a 3,000 square foot upstairs dining area, 16 bar seats, and a big outdoor patio. Those serve craft beers, wines, and cocktails, plus a dedicated takeout zone since delivery and pickup make up 40 to 50% of sales, is designed for families, sports fans, and casual gatherings. Carl Bachman, the president and CEO, highlights how the business began as a small takeout joint and now stretches to Florida, New York, and North, Carolina. Their secret lies in proprietary dough, sauce, and cheese, ensuring every pizza tastes the

1:04same no matter the spot. They bake everything fresh on site, skipping friars and microwaves for lighter, crisp results. The menu keeps evolving with hits like the original cheese pizza, hot oil pie, and hot honey with ricotta. New additions include sliders and flavors like cheeseburger, meatball, and Nashville hot chicken, plus creative salad pizzas such as chicken Caesar. Bates right into the crust. These options draw people in beyond just pizza nights. Looking ahead, Rico's eyes more Connecticut growth, starting with Milford and pushing north to Hartford County towns like West Hartford, Glastonbury, and Avon. With a focus on consistency and that signature thin crust, they're branching out like a bush along the east coast while keeping their home state roots strong.