ROTOLO’S PIZZERIA PLANS to open today in the Village at Cumberland Park, at 8970 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 148. It’s the second franchise in the state of Texas.

Rotolo’s Pizzeria plans to open in the Village at Cumberland Park today.

The restaurant, at 8970 S. Broadway Ave., Suite 148, will be the second franchise in Texas.

“As we continue to grow in new markets we are thrilled to expand in to Tyler,” Mitch Rotolo, founder and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “We love the community feel in Tyler and look forward to serving friends and family for years to come.”

When Rotolo founded Rotolo’s Pizzeria 18 years ago, he envisioned a neighborhood pizza place like he had known growing up in New Orleans, he said in a September interview. “My vision was to have a really cool neighborhood place with great food and lots of fun,” he said.

Since starting the restaurant in 1996 in Baton Rouge, near Louisiana State University, Rotolo’s has expanded to 29 locations and is making its way to Texas.

Rhonda Rubben, president of the franchise group bringing the restaurant to Tyler, said they looked at several cities in East Texas and viewed Tyler as a great place to open their first store in the area.

“We want to have that fun, high-energy, pub-type atmosphere,” she said earlier, adding that they also want to have family nights where portions of the proceeds could go to local schools.

Rotolo’s will feature a full service bar and 3,000 square feet of dining space and an outdoor patio. They offer pizzas, including wheat and gluten free, as well as salads, wraps, sandwiches, pastas, wings, appetizers and desserts. Rotolo’s specializes in Italian cuisine, with just a touch of Cajun influence.

The bar features 25 craft beers on tap, including local selections from True Vine Brewery and Cedar Creek Brewery, as well as wine from Kiepersol and Pelle Legna.

General Manager Garrett Cassity is a Tyler native with 14 years of experience in restaurant service and management. Rotolo’s will have 20 to 30 employees and will be open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Rotolo, 43, of Baton Rouge, said they want to grow the entire East Texas market, closing the gap between the one store in Lewisville and two in Shreveport.

Ms. Rubben said they plan to open another Texas store in Beaumont. If the first Tyler restaurant is successful, they will look for a second location here, possibly in north Tyler toward Lindale, which could open in late 2015 or 2016. She said they will open up to five stores in East Texas, possibly in Longview, Waco and Henderson.