Mountain Mike’s Pizza, the Southern California-based pizza chain that first opened in Colorado Springs in early 2025, is expanding locally.

Husband-and-wife team Chris and Laura Beasley on April 1 opened the Springs’ second Mountain Mike’s location at 8099 Carmela Grove, Suite 140, at the northeast corner of East Woodmen and Marksheffel roads.

It opened roughly a year after the Springs’ first Mountain Mike’s, operated by another husband-and-wife team, franchisees Isaac and Allie Brandon, debuted at 123 Spectrum Loop in the Polaris Pointe mixed-use development.

“The eastern Colorado Springs community has really been wanting a pizza place, and we were excited to bring Mountain Mike’s to the area,” the Beasleys, who live in Falcon with their 12-year-old daughter, said by email.

“We opened to a very busy crowd and are committed to serving everyone as efficiently as possible, continually refining our processes to ensure every guest enjoys a great pizza experience. We also love the opportunities to partner with the community through local events and sports — it’s a big part of what makes this business so rewarding for us,” they said.

The family- and sports-oriented pizza chain was founded in 1978 in Palo Alto, Calif. It specializes in “mountain-sized” 20-inch pies and is known for its family-friendly atmosphere; its signature crispy, curly pepperonis; and fresh dough made in-house daily.

The new 2,444-square-foot location in eastern Colorado Springs includes five big-screen televisions, making it a go-to destination for sports fans rooting on all teams, according to a news release announcing the restaurant’s opening.

It also includes a kids’ arcade, a spacious outdoor patio, an all-you-can-eat pizza and salad lunch bar on weekdays, domestic and craft beers on tap and various wines.

Chris Beasley, a Navy air traffic controller currently in the National Air Guard in Wyoming, and Laura Beasley, who works in the construction supply industry, both have experience working in restaurants, including pizzerias.

“We wanted to invest in something of our own, and with our background in restaurants, opening a business made sense. Living in Falcon, we also recognized the need for more food options on the east side of town, especially pizza. This inspired us to combine our experience with a desire to serve our community,” they said by email.

Chris Beasley first discovered the chain when he was in California for work, visiting repeatedly. Mountain Mike’s was top of mind for the Beasleys when they began exploring the idea of opening their own restaurant, the couple said. They also shared similar values with the company.

“All locations are franchise-owned, and the company clearly values working with families and communities. We were drawn to the idea of a place where people could enjoy great food, a cold beer and quality time with family and friends — and that’s exactly what Mountain Mike’s offers,” the Beasleys said.

The chain joins several others that have recently debuted in this fast-growing area of Colorado Springs. The five-suite, mixed-use Shiloh Mesa retail center completed in August also includes a Dairy Queen Grill & Chill and Glo Nail Spa 3. Nearby national retailers who have opened in the last year include, among others, 7-Eleven, Big-O Tires, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Starbucks and Take 5 Oil Change.

The area is close to several housing developments like Banning Lewis Ranch, Cordera and Wolf Ranch.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza contends with several other pizzerias across the Springs, including brands like Louie’s Pizza, Slice 420, Fargo’s Pizza Co., Parry’s Pizzeria & Taphouse, Fat Sully’s Pizza and chains such as Domino’s and Pizza Hut.

But its food — pizzas loaded to their edges with toppings, the fan-favorite crispy pepperoni, and fresh salads to complement the pies — is what makes Mountain Mike’s stand out from the rest, the Beasleys said.

“Overall, it’s all about providing a great, flavorful meal that everyone can enjoy,” they said.

Since its founding nearly 50 years ago, Mountain Mike’s Pizza has expanded to more than 320 locations across the U.S., mostly concentrated along the West Coast.

There are three locations in Colorado, including in Parker, with a fourth opening soon in Aurora, according to a list of locations on the website.

The Beasleys plan to host a grand celebration of their Carmela Grove location later this spring.

Mountain Mike’s Pizza at Carmela Grove is open Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.