New tenant announced for SoHo Salsarita’s location

The SoHo storefront vacated by Salsarita’s is going to open with a new restaurant this fall. Birmingham resident Lloyd Peeples has signed a lease and plans to bring Your Pie, a fast casual pizza franchise, to the 28th Avenue South property.

Your Pie is based out of Georgia, and Peeples’ location will be the first in Alabama. The restaurant will sell 10-inch pizzas for $7.99 with unlimited toppings, as well as paninis, bread bowl salads and gelato. Peeples said he will install TVs to watch different sports and he will apply for a beer and wine license.

He anticipates an opening in September or October, depending on construction progress, as the restaurant will need a brick oven and around 20 employees before it opens its doors.

“I’ve got a lot of stuff to do in 90 to 120 days,” Peeples said.

Peeples practiced law for over a decade but left the profession in 2012 to help his father, who was experiencing health problems, run his manufacturing business. After his father passed away and left the business to him in 2013, Peeples realized that managing businesses was easier than practicing law.

He began looking for an investment opportunity, not a franchise, but was unexpectedly pleased with the Your Pie location in Atlanta. After meeting with the franchise CEO and vice presidents, he decided to jump in. Your Pie provided him with 300 pages of support material, from employee interview questions to places to buy the “Please wash your hands” signs.

“I’m going to be more under the owner-investor role than the owner operator,” Peeples said, noting that he will manage more of the finances and marketing side of his business. “I’ve never run a restaurant before, so my plan is to hire someone who knows what he’s doing.”

Before the store opens, Peeples will spend four weeks at another Your Pie learning every aspect of the business. Employees from other stores will also train his staff.

As part of Peeples’ deal with Your Pie, he has the right to open two more stores in the Birmingham market over the next two years. He is looking at possible locations in Liberty Park, Trussville and downtown, and has tentative plans to open those locations in 2016. Peeples also has potential development rights for more restaurants in Tuscaloosa, Auburn and Huntsville.

To learn more about Your Pie, visit yourpie.com.