This wood-fire pizza franchise coming to Dallas-Fort Worth has 40 self-pour beer taps

A new wood-fire pizza and taproom franchise is moving into the Dallas-Fort Worth market.

Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom has 40 unique self-pour taps with craft and domestic beers, wine, cider and mixed cocktails. Customers wear a touch-enabled wristband to pour one to 16 ounces at a time.

The restaurant is opening mid-January in Frisco’s Stonebriar Centre at 2601 Preston Road, off the Dallas North Tollway. A second location is coming to Dallas, too.

The company describes its concept as fast-casual with artisan, wood-fired pizzas on proprietary dough made daily. The kitchen roasts its meats with oakwood and preps vegetables throughout the day.

“From the time a guest walks into the restaurant, they are immersed in the Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza experience supported by the pleasant aroma of oak burning in the oven,” the company’s franchise brochure says.

“Our pizza’s and other menu items are baked using 100% oak wood-fired cooking: No flash cooking. No microwave. No cheap grill. We only use oak wood that has dried for 12 months. Aged oak wood produces a unique smoky flavor that gas just can’t copy.”

The company originated in 2009 with Pi Wood-Fired Pizza in Rochester, Minnesota. The business partners began franchising in 2016.

It has locations in suburban west Austin; Fayetteville, Arkansas; Grand Junction and Broomfield, Colorado; Omaha; and north of Tampa.

Pizzas can be customized with 35 toppings or chosen from a menu of 12 signature pizzas that includes the Smokey Dokey (BBQ sauce, chicken, applewood bacon, red onion, cilantro, mozzarella), the Meat Pi (pepperoni, applewood bacon, sausage, chorizo, mozzarella, sriracha, crushed tomato sauce) and the San Marino (prosciutto, goat cheese, mozzarella, spinach, garlic, crushed red pepper, crushed tomato sauce).

Other items include sandwiches, salads and desserts.

Frisco’s self-pour taps will have attendants to answer questions and provide drink recommendations. The Frisco location will have a 140-inch LED wall for sports games and a separate space for special occasions.

“We have seen tremendous success in Texas and opening in the Stonebriar Center represents a significant milestone for us in the state,” said Matt Mongoven, CEO of Fourth Avenue Restaurant Group, the franchisor of Smokin’ Oak Wood-Fired Pizza & Taproom. “At Smokin’ Oak Pizza, you can have a delicious meal in under 15 minutes or enjoy the self-pour taproom and linger for longer, so it’s perfect for every occasion.”