Mod Pizza opening at Scottsdale and Shea

Mod Pizza is expanding like mad. With over 60 locations including some Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas and Pennsylvania, the Seattle-based, fast-casual eatery is planning to boost that number to more than 100 stores open by the end of this year.

You can include in those numbers the new store slated for fall at the northeast corner of Scottsdale Road and Shea Boulevard in Scottsdale.

The first Arizona store opened in Gilbert almost exactly a year ago. There are shops in west Phoenix at Metrocenter and in Goodyear, with others planned for Tempe, Mesa and Phoenix, at 44th Street and Indian School Road.

The company was founded by husband-and-wife team Scott and Ally Svenson in 2008. It was named among the “Top 50 Breakout Brands” by National Restaurant News in 2013, and as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. by Inc. Magazine in September 2014.

It’s a concept we’ve all become very familiar with lately — build your own, with premium ingredients and ultra-fast service. Similar to Phoenix-based Fired Pie and Scottsdale-based Pizza Me, Mod Pizza diners create personalized pizzas with a wide variety of toppings. The pies are assembled cafeteria-line style, like Chipotle Mexican Grill or Subway, and are quick-fired in 800-degree gas ovens.

Ingredients are premium, too, including all-natural dough; sauce made with two varieties of tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic, Parmesan and herbs; whole-milk mozzarella; and options like gluten-free crust.

There are pre-designed combos for the less inspired, such as the Dominic with asiago cheese, sausage, basil, red onion, tomato and white sauce. All pizzas are the same price, regardless of what you put on them. A mini pie is $4.47, a regular is $7.47 and a mega is $9.47.

Rounding it all out are salads and sides like garlic or cinnamon strips, plus drinks like hand-spun milkshakes, housemade teas and lemonades, self-serve soda, draft beer and wines.

Details: Mod Pizza, 10893 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. modpizza.com.

Carey Sweet covers dining news. Contact her at carey@careysweet.com.