Father-son duo about to open Johnson County pizzeria. Its specialty? Burnt ends pizza
Like any traditional Kansas City natives, Kris Copp and his father, Bill Copp, are die-hard barbecue fans.
So when the two crafted the menu for their pizzeria in Omaha, where Kris now lives, they wanted something that showcased their hometown pride. They created the burnt ends pizza and opened their first Copps Pizza Co. restaurant in 2019.
It was a hit with Nebraskans.
Now, the Copps are opening their fourth location this month at 6301 W. 135th St. #A in Overland Park’s Corbin Park, in the former Social Club Event Space. This will be their first Kansas City area location.
“Opening up in the town you grew up in … it’s kind of a big deal,” Kris said. “Having something here where we can share it with everyone we know.”
While Copps Pizza Co. specializes in pizza, its menu includes pasta, wings, salads and burgers, as well as its steaks and salmon entrees.
Other favorites include its crab rangoon pizza and Oreo milkshake.
Before his pizza endeavors, Kris was a district manager of a Panda Express franchise group. After expressing his dream to run his own restaurant, his father offered to join.
Bill went from Kris’ role model and sports coach to his business partner, but the two have remained close throughout the stresses of a growing business.
“As wild and gunslinger as I am, he’s overly cautious,” Kris said. “I pull him to make leaps and bounds and he reins me in.”
To view the restaurant’s full menu, visit coppspizza.com.
This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 1:54 PM.