A new pizzeria in Falcon will soon bring northeastern-style pies farther westward.

Fox’s Pizza Den is opening its second Colorado location in a year, and its first in El Paso County, on Saturday at 11694 Bent Grass Market View in Falcon, northeast of Colorado Springs.

There will be a grand opening celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring free pizza for the first hour and live music.

Owner Josh Hicks and his business partner Raley Parker helped debut the Murrysville, Pa.-based brand in Colorado at the end of 2024, opening the franchise in Elizabeth last December.

Hicks, who grew up working in restaurants and the hospitality industry, said he is intentionally expanding the franchise into niche, up-and-coming markets where the sense of community is tight.

In Elizabeth, where he resides, Hicks is involved with various school districts. He hosts monthly student awards competitions, offering free pizzas as prizes, and regularly partners with students to sell pizzas and fundraise for various efforts.

Hicks wanted to bring the same quality, consistency, outstanding customer service and collaboration to other growing Colorado communities like Falcon.

“The community, connection and philanthropy of it, that’s what’s exciting to me,” he said.

Hicks was introduced to Fox’s Pizza Den through his business partner, Parker, an entrepreneur who owns five Jersey Mike’s locations in Pennsylvania and consults with Fox’s Pizza corporate.

Hicks was struck by the brand’s unique taste, consistency, and their signature sauces, proprietary cheese blend, homemade dough and carefully sourced ingredients.

That’s what will make his pizza shop stand out among other competitors, he said.

“It’s a little different, because I buy my food directly from Fox’s Pizza. Nothing is outsourced locally, so you’re not going to get the same pepperoni, sausage or bacon that anyone else is getting in Colorado. It’s unique flavoring,” Hicks said.

The menu consists of classic pizzas as well as gourmet-style pies, like buffalo chicken, bacon dill and taco pizzas. Offerings also include sandwiches, strombolis, salads, breadsticks, chicken wings and Fox’s signature “wedgie,” a sandwich made with pizza crust instead of a bun.

As he built his Falcon location, Hicks already found a way to collaborate with his neighbors.

He and Johnny Alaniz, owner of the Bogeys and Brews indoor golf simulation bar next door, have built an order counter between their suites. Alaniz’s customers can order and receive Fox’s Pizza directly, without having to leave Bogeys and Brews.

Bogeys and Brews will also have its grand opening on Saturday.

More Fox’s Pizza Den locations are planned for Colorado and Colorado Springs.

“I have this aspiring mindset to take over Colorado and build the brand. We weren’t settling for just one location in Elizabeth,” Hicks said.

Hicks and Parker are moving forward with plans to expand into Peyton and north Colorado Springs, with a future site also being considered in the Old Ranch neighborhood. They also were recently awarded four Fox’s Pizza Den locations inside Walmarts in Arvada, Broomfield, Lafayette and Loveland.

Fox’s Pizza Den was founded in 1971 in Pennsylvania. It has now grown to more than 200 locations in 19 states, according to its website.

This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Raley Parker’s name and the number of Jersey Mike’s locations he owns.