Mici Handcrafted Italian expanding to Colorado Springs

Mici Handcrafted Italian, a five-unit fast casual chain based in Denver, Colorado, is opening their first Colorado Springs location in February, owned and operated by Mici corporate and located at 3703 Bloomington St., the space was previously a Smashburger, according to a company press release.

The restaurant will have 46 seats, pick-up and delivery stations and will offer delivery and catering.

"Colorado Springs has always been at the top of our list of markets here in Colorado into which we would like to expand," CEO Elliot Schiffer said in the release. "It is a growing, thriving community and a perfect fit for both our food (family recipe pizza and pasta) and our style of service (fast casual with delivery).

"We would like to build up to five locations in Colorado Springs, over time, as the city continues to grow. And we could not be more excited to have a Colorado Springs native, Sarah Brodhead, who has worked for our company for eight years, moving home to open the restaurant as general manager."

Founded in 2004 by siblings Jeff, Kim and Michael Miceli, Mici brought on Partner and CEO Schiffer in 2017 to grow the brand. It began franchising in 2020 and also received a full utility patent on Jeff Miceli's invention, the Mici-Z Pizza Press. It allows Mici locations to make consistent crust with minimal trainings