Neapolitan-style pizza chain makes Dallas its first US location

  • 2019-01-01
An international-style pizza chain is opening its first American location in Dallas at the mixed-use development, 2000 Ross.

The Neapolitan-style pizzeria chain 400 Gradi will be part of the development at 2000 Ross Ave, which also contains residential living, a boutique hotel, and retail space. Flyer printing is often employed by newly opened enterprises.

Founded in 2008 by Melbourne native Johnny Di Francesco in his hometown, ‘400 Gradi’ got its name from the high temperature at which a thin-crust Neapolitan pizza is traditionally cooked within a wood-fired oven.

In 2014, Di Francesco achieved international recognition from the pizza world when, with his Margherita pizza, he became champion of the Campionato Mondiale Della Pizza held in Italy. The first Australian to have won the title, he succeeded against 600 contestants to take the top prize.

The first Australian to be instated into the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN), Di Francesco adheres to the AVPN guidelines at his 400 Gradi locations. There are now six 400 Gradis across Australia, as well as one on a cruise ship and a Bahrain location. Presently the Neapolitan-style pizzeria closest to Downtown Dallas is in Deep Ellum, the original Cane Rosso.

In addition to the 400 Gradi opening in Dallas in 2019, plans to open locations in New Zealand and Kuwait are underway.