30-year-old Rock ‘n’ Roll-inspired pizza chain shuttering 6 WA restaurants

Oct 24, 2025, 8:11 AM | Updated: 3:28 pm

A view of pizza in wood burning oven. (Photo: Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)

(Photo: Rodin Eckenroth, Getty Images)

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A three-decade-old local pizza restaurant chain, The Rock Wood Fired Pizza, announced on Thursday that it will close six restaurants across Washington.

The Rock Wood Fired Pizza closures include its locations in Renton, Federal Way, Tacoma, Puyallup, Covington, and Lacey, the company announced.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our story,” the company stated. “Your loyalty, laughter, and love for our pizza, buckets, and beer have meant the world to us. We’re incredibly proud of the memories made over three decades of dough, sauce, and smiles.”

30-year-old pizza chain to close six locations across WA

The company did not announce specific dates for each location’s closure.

The Rock Wood Fired Pizza will continue to operate out of its last Washington location in Auburn.

“While this chapter closes, the story isn’t over. ‘The Rock’ is excited to continue welcoming you at the Lake Tapps ROCK restaurant in Auburn — where the ovens are still hot, and the same great pizza and hospitality await you,” the company shared.

The pizza chain initially opened its doors in 1995 in Tacoma, under its former name, “The Wedge.” Founders Don Bellis and Jay Gigandet created the company after they enjoyed a wood-fired pizza establishment in a small New England town.

As the two founders were hard at work, crafting pizzas from scratch with fresh ingredients, their favorite Rock ‘n’ Roll tunes would play throughout the restaurant.

The work crew and guests would yell to turn the music up louder, which prompted the name change from “The Wedge” to “The Rock.”

The Rock’s menu features various takes on Rock ‘n’ Roll-inspired meals, including the Free Bird Sandwich, a Lynyrd Skynyrd-inspired chicken sandwich, and its “Stairway to Heaven” specialty sauce in honor of the Rock group Led Zeppelin.

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