Spinning Coaster Coming to Incredible Pizza in Tulsa, OK

[chadster]

As I've mentioned in the Bell's thread several times, what Tulsa needs is a kick ass FEC. And while America's Incredible Pizza has been in Tulsa for some time, it's more been along the lines of a Dave and Busters with video games and food (plus electric go-carts)

 

And apparently they've seen the demand and are expanding their business to include one of those awesome spinning kiddie coasters, the model they've chosen was at IAAPA and I believe there is a TPR video on it somewhere (I don't have time to look at the moment for it). I've ridden a similar model at local fairs and wow, those things are awesome fun. In fact on a TPR trip about 2 years ago to the Texas State Fair many had a chance to ride and no one could stop laughing.

 

A good thing for the city, that's for sure.

 

So credit whores, now you'll have a reason to visit my home town. I'd suggest going during the state fair tho

 

Edit: Found the video

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An incredibly large expansion is underway at Tulsa’s Incredible Pizza Co., 8314 E. 71st St., that includes adding the company’s first indoor roller coaster and much more.

 

“Tulsa is our best market in regard to community engagement; it’s our No. 1 store; it’s our biggest store,” said Tim Hershberger, vice president of sales and marketing for Incredible Pizza Franchise Group. “Through the past couple of winters, it became obvious that we needed to expand. The building was no longer able to handle the demand we had in the winter months.”

 

Also, the fact that Incredible Pizza really is the only theme-park destination in the area also contributed to the company’s expansion plans for Tulsa. “We feel like we owe it to the city to bring new things and invest in the city ... We think the community is going to love it,” Hershberger said.

 

In all, the company will have invested about $1.3 million for the Tulsa center’s 32,000-square-foot expansion.

 

The first expansion phase took place last December when Incredible Pizza added about 10,000 square feet by expanding into The Hex House, a former extreme haunted attraction. Incredible Pizza enlarged its theater — the Starlight Room — to accommodate up to 400 people, up from about 186.

 

Now, the entertainment center is expanding by another 22,000 square feet, adding a teacup ride, new advanced go-carts, mini bowling lanes, a larger bumper-car ride, new video games and an interactive floor set for real foot-stomping antics.

 

The company also is adding its first indoor roller coaster in Tulsa.

 

“We don’t just toss pizza dough around here. We’re serious about our fun,” said Rick Barsness, IPC’s CEO and founder, on the company’s website.

 

With the expansion and upgrade, Incredible Pizza can take better care of customers and offer more seating, Hershberger said. The waiting time in the Tulsa store was becoming very long, and the game room was getting too busy.

 

The company had been debating what to do or not do in Tulsa. Last November, some company representatives attended the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions trade show in Orlando, Florida.

 

While there, Barsness spotted an indoor roller coaster and literally bought it that day and came up with the idea to put it in the Tulsa store, Hershberger said.

 

The spinning roller coaster, which is made in Italy, will be loaded and shipped soon, taking about a month to arrive in Tulsa. The 3,500-square-foot coaster, shaped in a figure eight, is 15-feet high, about 40-feet wide and 70-feet deep. Children as young as age 4 can ride it.

 

If things go as planned, Incredible Pizza eventually may introduce roller coasters into its other sites.

 

Tulsa also became the first location to add a trampoline park when Spring Town opened in 2013.

 

“In a sense, Tulsa is a place where we like to try new things,” Hershberger said.

 

Incredible Pizza will open its new addition in early July, with the exception of the roller coaster, which will be unveiled in mid-August.

Due to construction, the center’s laser tag and bumper cars will be closed from Tuesday through June 19th.

 

The new teacup ride arrived over a week ago in Tulsa and was unloaded — including the ride’s 3,000-pound base.

 

The custom built “Choco Cup” traveled over 3,000 miles from Italy, by ship, train and tractor-trailer rig as it made its way to Tulsa. Once the ride is up and running, it will feature a chocolate aroma that comes out of the top of the teapot, Hershberger said.

 

The expansion will enable Incredible Pizza to seat 900 people at one time.

America’s Incredible Pizza Co., based in Springfield, Missouri, has six locations nationwide and three in Mexico. The company opened its Tulsa site in August 2004.

 

www.tulsaworld.com/business/tulsa-s-incredible-pizza-co-expanding-and-adding-its-first/article_85621809-46f7-579c-85a4-d91d930a60a4.html

[FaithPlus1]

I think there is some fun to be had here!

 

Anchovy the Ride?

[WendyGirl1979]

Both of our local IPCs closed, the second last year. I really liked the concept and hope they'll make their way back one day!

[fatdaddy]

Pizza and a coaster sounds good!