Pizza Ranch set to open first suburban location in Round Lake Beach

The first Pizza Ranch franchise in the suburbs will open to the public Monday in Round Lake Beach.

About 100 village officials and others attended a ribbon cutting event Wednesday — 10 months after the groundbreaking — to welcome the ninth Pizza Ranch in Illinois.

The chain known for its all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, fried chicken, salads and desserts is at 780 Rollins Road in the Mallard Creek shopping center, just west of Route 83. It’s adjacent to the Meijer parking lot behind McDonald’s and Arby’s in a busy commercial area.

Pizza Ranch was founded in Hull, Iowa, in 1981 and has more than 210 restaurants in 14 states, making it one of the largest pizza chains in the Midwest.

There are Pizza Ranch locations in southern Wisconsin, and southern and western Illinois, including Springfield, Peoria, Galesburg, Roscoe near Rockford and Shorewood near Joliet.

Round Lake Beach was selected for a new location following Mayor Scott Nickles’ inquiry with management after his family ate at a Pizza Ranch during a road trip to Wisconsin.

“I asked the manager if he would pass along my business card to the owner and lo and behold, the conversations began and we started talking about bringing their amazing pizza and concept to Round Lake Beach,” Nickles said.

The company called within two days and started looking at properties within a week, he added.

Pizza Ranch is considered a family destination with a variety of specials, private party rooms and a FunZone Arcade with games for children and adults.

“This is an extremely exciting day for all of us,” said Bjorn Kaashagen, vice president of Grass Roots Investment Group, at the ribbon cutting. “The village support for this project has been amazing.”