Saratoga Business Journal
By Jill Nagy
Lihan Bozkurt plans to open his fifth Empire Pizza restaurant next January in Ballston Spa. He recently purchased an I Love New York Pizza outlet and is in the process of renovating it to join his growing family of Empire Pizza outlets.
Empire Pizza restaurants are located in Corinth, Glens Falls, Hudson Falls, and the newly opened one on South Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Bozkurt’ opened his first location in Glens Falls in 2009. Further expansion is planned for Clifton Park and Amsterdam. Bozkurt plans to develop the chain into a franchise operation. The first franchises are slated for long-time employees; others will be sold to non-employees.
The Ballston Spa restaurant is planned to seat between 20 and 25 customers. It will also offer take-out service and delivery. Customers will be able order online or in person, as they can at other Empire Pizza outlets.
In addition to pizza, Bozkurt said, the new facility will have a “big menu,” including calzones, strombolis, salads, club sandwiches, and other selections. No alcohol will be served. He anticipates adding about 15 new employees; he currently employs a staff 80 at the four existing restaurants.
Like the owners of many area pizza restaurants, Bozkurt is originally from Turkey. Although originally an Italian delicacy, pizza is readily available in Turkey, he said.
The company’s website is saratogaempirepizza.com.