Pizza parlor to deal in deliveries, to-go orders

Bryan Biernat thinks he has all the ingredients for success.

The Centennial Hills resident plans to open the first Mr. Jim's Pizza franchise in Nevada next month .

The 34-year-old also is investing in his own neighborhood, the Providence master-planned community . The 1,400-square-foot restaurant is to be a first-generation inhabitant of 7181 N. Hualapai Way, Suite 120 .

Although Biernat, a former home-based businessman and culinary student, and his wife, Patima , calculated their decision, they consider themselves risk-takers in a rebounding economy.

"We have to be part of the upturn and start in our communities," he said. "This is my community, and I'm putting my money where my mouth is. I come in here and bear all the risk."

Biernat and Mr. Jim's Pizza are both Michigan transplants . Founder Jim Johnson opened his first location in Detroit in 1975 on faith and borrowed money, and his risk has grown to a chain with more than 70 locations.

Biernat was introduced to the brand while living in Texas, where Mr. Jim's Pizza is now headquartered.

"It was our every Friday night thing," he said.

He hopes other families make the new-to-Las Vegas menu part of their routine, he said.

Mr. Jim's Pizza is strictly carry-out and delivery. The dough is hand-stretched, and Mr. Jim's Pizza's main menu items are Pizza D'Luxe and Pizza D'Lish . Pizza D'Lish, a Mr. Jim's Pizza centerpiece recipe, has about half the calories, carbs and fat of conventional pizza.

"Pizza is America's favorite food," Biernat said. "And what Mr. Jim's does is provide the best of both worlds in pizza : traditional pizza and something lighter and still delicious with Pizza D'Lish ."

Salads are an anchor of the menu , too, Biernat said.

Biernat expects to dole out the first pizzas to customers at the end of May. Mr. Jim's Pizza also is looking to hire about six to 10 people .

The restaurant is in the Providence Plaza shopping district. A Subway store and the Providence community office also inhabit the privately owned plaza, which was built in 2007, community manager Brandon Exline said.

Exline said the association likes to see residents take rejuvenation into their own hands. He cited the 2011 construction of Knickerbocker Park, the result of a $3 million surplus in Providence Master HOA funds, as voted by residents.

"It's great a resident within our community is giving back and sharing his love of this particular pizza place," Exline said.

For more information, visit mrjims.com or call 666-8383 .

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.