Year-Round Eatery Franco's Pizzeria To Open At Heinz Field

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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Franco Harris says he loves pizza, so maybe it's no surprise.

Now under construction, the Steelers great is opening a restaurant at Heinz Field.

"Franco's Pizzeria," says Jimmie Sacco. "It's going to be a fun place for the family, for people going to the ballgame, to a concert at Stage AE, or just coming down to the North Shore."

Sacco is vice president and manager of Heinz Field, and he says this family-friendly venue will be open not just on game days to ticketed patrons but -- seasonally -- to everyone else.

On game days, only those at the Steelers can order pizza at Franco's Pizzeria at a counter inside Heinz Field.

But on non-game days, the Pizzeria will also be open, and you order pizza outside and sit outside on the patio.

Work has been underway for several months, and Sacco sees the venue as a new attraction for locals and visitors alike to the North Shore.

"It's going to be a great addition to the North Shore," says Sacco. "All these establishments over here right now are doing very well."

The Addleman family from Lincoln, Neb., stopping briefly in Pittsburgh to see Heinz Field, and Steve Addleman was enthusiastic about the new restaurant.

Delano: "Would you go to a restaurant like that?"
Addleman: "You bet I would. In a heartbeat."
Delano: "You like pizza?"
Addleman: "I love pizza."

As for pricing, Sacco promises it will be the same whether there's a game on or not.

"It's going to be in the pricing of the normal pizzerias around the city. It's going to offer a variety of pizzas -- brick oven pizzas, by the way -- salads, calzones, and then you'll have your favorite beverage there also," he said.

The hope is to have it completed for a grand opening at Taylor Swift's concert performance on Aug. 7.

"Hopefully we're still going to meet that target. If not, it will be open mid-August in time for the first pre-season football game," Sacco said.