I have been 3 times. All 3 times have been for either dinner or Saturday as I try to frequent places that take a chance with their hours downtown. I really do like their food menu and the fact that they serve beer does not hurt.

...and the fact that they serve beer does not hurt.

And good, local options, at that!

Downtown Oklahoma City's Revolve Pizza Kitchen closed indefinitely for 'restructuring' | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5476908?utm_source=NewsOK.com&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=ShareBar-Twitter)

Downtown Oklahoma City's Revolve Pizza Kitchen closed indefinitely for 'restructuring' | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5476908?utm_source=NewsOK.com&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=ShareBar-Twitter)

Interesting, I wonder what's going on. To be honest, the two times I've gone there, I was extremely underwhelmed with their pizza. I loved the space, the employees were great, and the location is convenient for DT workers and residents. Just wish their pizza was better.

Per the Oklahoman, the downtown location has closed:

Downtown Oklahoma City's Revolve Pizza Kitchen closed indefinitely for 'restructuring' | News OK (http://newsok.com/downtown-oklahoma-citys-revolve-pizza-kitchen-closed-indefinitely-for-restructuring/article/5476908)


Revolve Pizza Kitchen's downtown Oklahoma City restaurant is closed indefinitely, less than a year after it opened.

It opened on 7/20/15 so barely made 6 months.

Per the Oklahoman, the downtown location has closed:

Downtown Oklahoma City's Revolve Pizza Kitchen closed indefinitely for 'restructuring' | News OK (http://newsok.com/downtown-oklahoma-citys-revolve-pizza-kitchen-closed-indefinitely-for-restructuring/article/5476908)



It opened on 7/20/15 so barely made 6 months.

Well there is a location for cafe 7 to move to if they need it

I eat here somewhat frequently, and I can't help but wonder if they are still working out kinks in their cost structure, e.g. appear to be fewer employees on any given shift, and they switched from sliced to grated cheese. I hope they do well - really like the concept and the people I've met while in there.

This seems like it would be a good spot for a Chipotle.

Wow... This is pretty bad. Fantastic corner and the place can't make it a year?

Hopefully it won't sit vacant long, but clearly it is very high risk in the CBD.

Yeah, I think the problem was, the pizza just wasn't that good. I ate there one time with a friend, and we were both very disappointed. Hideaway is just a bit farther and I liked the pizza a lot better.

The Memorial Road location is still going though?

I really liked the pizza and had heard it was packed at lunch, at least at first, not sure about lately.

But I also feel there was A LOT of competition for Pizza downtown and downtown adjacent. Maybe not the best business line to get into...

The Memorial Road location is still going though?

Yes.

Yeah the Memorial location has definitely seen some of those same changes. I'm sure rent's a lot lower there, but the cheese changed. The balsamic vinegar that used to be in a big metal dispenser is gone.

Personally I really like them over the other choices on Memorial, even though Blaze opened up. Feel like their ingredients work together better albeit the toppings have a tendency to slide off. I probably stop by for a pick two (pizza and salad) about once a week.

The group's plan was to greatly expand this concept so I suspect they are still working out a lot of the fine tuning in their ingredients, vendors, processes, etc.

But very hard to imagine there isn't something else is going on here because their lunch business alone was strong downtown which should have been enough to carry them, especially for more than 6 months.

Plus, there was a big investment in that space and they certainly signed at least a 3-year lease, and probably 5-year with several option periods.

One thing that could also be a contributing factor is that they opened right across the street from Italian Express, which has a low-priced pizza/pasta buffet with salad bar and a VERY loyal following. The pizza at revolve aims to be a step up from what Hassan puts on IE's buffet, but his is still tasty, salad bar is very good (and fresh), and prices are excellent in comparison.

But I agree that Revolve always seemed to be packed when I went, so still puzzling.

Yeah, I think the problem was, the pizza just wasn't that good. I ate there one time with a friend, and we were both very disappointed. Hideaway is just a bit farther and I liked the pizza a lot better.

I agree with this. I really liked the location and the presentation but as far as the food, it simply wasn't that great. In order to have a successful restaurant in a location where there isn't a lot of rooftops, you have to be a destination and you have to be exceptional, like Mahogany or Flint. In OKC, especially with pizza and burgers, there is so much competition you really have to stand above the pack. Hopefully it doesn't stay vacant for long.

Maybe CVS can take another look at that spot?

^

They knew darn well going in that lunch was going to account for probably 90% of their business and since they were doing very well with that, there is likely something going on here.

I'm sure they didn't think they would be a destination for dinner in the middle of the CBD.

Well rats - I ate there for dinner several times a month.

Does anybody think this would be a great spot for RePUBlic? I know they were looking at opening downtown at one point.

Does anybody think this would be a great spot for RePUBlic? I know they were looking at opening downtown at one point.

Would imagine it's way too small for anything they'd be interested in.

Yes, too small and not nearly unique enough.

Republic and AGE has their pick of just about any spot and will wait for a super cool and unique opportunity.

Just heard that there have been issues between the operator / manger of this concept and the main investors which is why this location went dark.

Also, with Blaze and Pie Five opening in the metro, how much room do we have for these fast casual build-your-own pizza places? Never been to Blaze or Pie Five and am curious about the quality of their product. Seems like there would only be room for one or two of these operators to expand aggressively.

I don't think this has anything to do with demand, as there i always, always room for another well-done pizza or burger place. There is no other build-your-own pizza place anywhere near downtown.

I think this has to do with organizational issues.

I went there once. I was underwhelmed, again (first time at memorial location). However, they did have a lunch special and the price made it a contender for a bi weekly.

In addition to upper management issues, business could have taken a hit with all the lay offs.

In addition to upper management issues, business could have taken a hit with all the lay offs.

What layoffs?

You mean that 172 people at SandRidge that were let go the same day they closed?


Let's please not feed the sky-is-falling mentality when it comes to the local economy and oil prices.

Just heard that there have been issues between the operator / manger of this concept and the main investors which is why this location went dark.

Does their other location have the same operator/manager and investors? I'm assuming that at least the investors are common across both locations, but maybe the operator/manager isn't. If they are the same, curious that the Memorial location is still open. If they're not the same, then, um, nevermind.

Who was the operator and who are the investors? Are they local?

Who was the operator and who are the investors? Are they local?

Yes and yes.

Yes and yes.

Speaking of the memorial location. They (the investor) own this building and developed the building with space to lease.

The investor is located over in the quail springs area behind dominoes.

What layoffs?

You mean that 172 people at SandRidge that were let go the same day they closed?


Let's please not feed the sky-is-falling mentality when it comes to the local economy and oil prices.

I was thinking more Devon and some of the smaller companies from Oklahoma Tower. I can't speak for other towers

I was thinking more Devon and some of the smaller companies from Oklahoma Tower. I can't speak for other towers

No one, other than SD, downtown has had mass layoffs yet. It's all talk so far.

Really disappointed to hear this. I actually really liked their pizza and went there several times a month. Being a downtown resident, it was great having another option that was open (somewhat) for dinner.

I wouldn't be surprised if they re-opened once they sort out their management issues.

They have a big investment in that space and a lease commitment.

^^^^^^^
According to tweet from Downtown OKC Inc this is exactly the situation.

Had not seen this but this is pretty much what I've been saying since they closed:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/revolvetweet.jpg

Hope they open back up soon. The memorial location is a regular spot for my family, as its close, quick, and casual. I've always enjoyed the quality and flavor of the food, but always build my own pizza, and typically only use the vodka or bourbon sauce as a base. So, I cannot speak for those that don't care for it..or were not "moved" by the quality/flavor of the pizza. I know that my brother in law is in this camp as well, but he is also a "Ham and Cheese...hold the mustard" kinda guy. He's not one to venture outside of ordering a plain cheese pizza, or a common pepperoni pizza when he's been with us a handful of times. So, although he is outwardly opinionated....its tough to put any stock into his opinion on food...as he's never tried anything outside of the boring/mundane.

The Memorial location also stays very busy up until about 8 PM or so... So, I would guess that it has been somewhat of a financial success for the owners/operators. Add to the fact, they are catering to a more "suburban" cliental that obviously by default have a much less refined/sophisticated palate than those that live within the core....its no surprise, that is it doing great.

Any word on reopening?

Any word on when they plan to reopen?

There must be a legal battle. There's no reason why this place would be shuttered while the overhead keeps building.

There must be a legal battle. There's no reason why this place would be shuttered while the overhead keeps building.


Maybe Pete can speak more intelligently on the details of this one, but as I understand it (coming directly from one of the owner/investors mouth) is that one of the "owner/operator" partners had a major difference of opinion on the business model/direction of the group moving forward. They have been going back and forth for some time, trying to "push-out" and/or settle up with the one guy that is holding everything up. As I understand it, he is being a big horses ass. But, I can also see how from his side of things.......that he believes everyone else is being the horses ass.

Either way, this group owns these 2 Revolves, 12 Qdobas, and 54 Sonics. They have the financial backing, and plenty of experience in the food industry, that they will find a way to make it work.

Cafe 7 to take old Revolve space:

http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=295-Cafe-7-leaving-First-National-Center-for-new-downtown-location

I'm disappointed about Revolve, but please that it will be Cafe 7 taking this space. I really hope they expand their hours to include dinner with this new space.

I believe they will be largely keeping the current setup / configuration.

Great turn of events for Cafe 7 which was about ready to get chased out and ended up on the receiving end of ready-made and available space just a block away.

They needed to expand. If I didn't get to that place by 11:15. Line was already out the door.

Dakil is auctioning off equipment from the downtown locations of Revolve and Captain Norms Wednesday.

http://www.dakil.com/event/revolve-pizza-kitchen

^

Thanks for posting that -- very interesting.

If you delve into the equipment lists and photos, you see Revolve is selling pretty much everything, including pizza pans, tables and chairs.

Pretty clear indication they don't plan to open any more locations any time soon.

They got burned on this investment. Not surprising that they lost their appetite to try again with this concept somewhere else.

^

Right, but they had put together this entire team and business model and gave interviews on how they planned to expand all over the place.

So now, it looks like they are completely throwing in the towel, otherwise you wouldn't take pennies on the dollar for things you could easily put in inexpensive storage.

They got burned on this investment. Not surprising that they lost their appetite to try again with this concept somewhere else.

My son was telling us that he and a bunch of his buddies went to Revolve some time ago, but the menu was all "specialty" pizzas at a hefty price, and none of them found anything on the menu worth trying. They left. "Really weird pizzas and *really* expensive, and nothing sounded good, so we just left."

I ate at the one on memorial a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure they have a build your own pizza bar for $10...

^

Revolve allows you to build your own pizza. You go through a line like Subway or Chipotle and select your ingredients.

Must have not been clear to your son but did want to clear that up.

I think the one location out on Memorial near MacArthur does quite well.

Pretty clear indication they don't plan to open any more locations any time soon.

When I last talked to people who worked at the Memorail location, they said there was still a plan for a Norman location. I assume that has changed?

There must be a lot we don't know. Usually if the money is flowing, business partners are happy.

If I had a guess, they see all these new pizza players in the OKC market and don't like the competition their seeing. Revolve was unique for about a year or two.

^

Revolve allows you to build your own pizza. You go through a line like Subway or Chipotle and select your ingredients.

Must have not been clear to your son but did want to clear that up.

I think the one location out on Memorial near MacArthur does quite well.

No idea about more details...but that concept sounds like Pie Five in Moore and I love it. I got the impression from him that the offerings were a bit "frou frou" or something like that. Not sure.

There must be a lot we don't know. Usually if the money is flowing, business partners are happy.

If I had a guess, they see all these new pizza players in the OKC market and don't like the competition their seeing. Revolve was unique for about a year or two.

It wasn't even the first concept in the market in OKC metro, I think Top That in Edmond was first. FWIW, Top That is closed now. I believe Top That was a Colorado-based franchise...

Anything open where Top That was ?

It wasn't even the first concept in the market in OKC metro, I think Top That in Edmond was first. FWIW, Top That is closed now. I believe Top That was a Colorado-based franchise...

I believe there was a Top That in Midwest City too that didn't last very long.

I finally ate at Revolve and really liked it.

Chose one of their signature pizzas, the Spicy Southerner: Spicy Bourbon Sauce, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, jalapeños, pepperoncinis and chives with bacon, corned beef. Really liked it and there actually was some spice to it.

I like their pricing model, in that any pizza regardless of ingredients is $6 for 6", $10 for 10" and $12 for 12". Ordered the 10" but the 6" would have been plenty.

They don't have any beers on tap but did have Coop Native Amber in a can which they served with a cold glass, so I was happy.

I don't get out that way very often but really enjoyed my meal and the space is quite nice as well.

Next time I go, however, I will order in advance. There is just the one line and every person in it seems to take forever deciding then picking out each and every ingredient. Incredibly annoying and that was with only about 6 people in front of me.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/revolvejan17.jpg