Piada Italian Street Food Opens Grand Morton Location in Katy with Homegrown Community Spirit
Piada Italian Street Food has officially opened its Grand Morton location in Katy, expanding its presence in the Houston area with its chef-driven, fast-casual Italian dining experience. As the second Katy-area Piada restaurant, the new location builds upon the brand's success in Cypress and other Houston-area locations, offering fresh, made-to-order Italian street food to a growing customer base.
According to Amy Vasquez, Partner of Grand Morton, the decision to bring Piada to Katy was a natural next step in the brand’s expansion.
“Following the success of our Cypress location, we knew that Katy was the perfect community for Piada,” Vasquez said. “We’re excited to be part of this vibrant area and to provide new opportunities for our team members while serving high-quality Italian street food to our guests.”
A Leader in Hospitality
Vasquez, who has been with Piada since 2017, brings extensive experience in restaurant management to the Katy location. She has previously led teams at Piada’s Memorial, Sugar Land, Medical Center, and Richmond locations before taking the charge at Grand Morton.
“Hospitality is at the heart of everything I do, and I love creating an environment where both guests and team members feel valued,” Vasquez said. “Piada is more than just great food—it’s about community and connection, and I’m thrilled to bring that to Katy.”
With nearly two decades in restaurant management, Vasquez’s career includes leadership roles at Panera Bread and Outback Steakhouse, further solidifying her expertise in customer service and operations.
Piada’s Growth and Community Engagement
Founded in 2010 by Chris Doody, co-founder of Bravo Brio Restaurant Group, Piada Italian Street Food was inspired by the cuisine of Rimini, Italy. The brand’s signature offering—the Piada, a thin Italian flatbread filled with fresh ingredients—has made it a standout in the fast-casual dining scene. Since opening its first restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, Piada has expanded to 58 locations nationwide.
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Piada is also deeply committed to community engagement. For its Katy grand opening, the restaurant donated 50% of opening-day sales to Katy High School and continues to offer fundraising opportunities for 501(c)(3) organizations, with 20% of qualified sales donated to local initiatives.
“Katy has already welcomed us with open arms, and we’re excited to give back,” Vasquez said. “We want to be more than just a restaurant—we want to be an active part of the community, supporting local schools and nonprofits.”
Additionally, Piada Gives, the company’s corporate charitable initiative, allows guests to contribute effortlessly through the PiadaOne loyalty program. Guests can opt to be a Piada Giver, which donates 1% of their purchases to charitable partners supporting cancer research, food insecurity, education, and social equality.
A Strong Team Behind the Scenes
The Grand Morton location is led by a skilled team, including Chef Marcus, who has quickly risen within the company after training under Vasquez. He played a key role in launching both the Cypress and Katy locations. Chef Miguel, a veteran of Piada’s training program, also contributes his expertise to the new restaurant.
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“Our team is dedicated to making every guest experience special,” Vasquez said. “We take pride in serving high-quality, made-to-order Italian food in a welcoming environment.”
Celebrating Growth and a Stronger Community Bond
To mark its arrival in Katy, Piada held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 11, 2025 in partnership with the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, symbolizing Piada’s commitment to becoming a valuable part of the local business and dining scene.
Adrienne Davitz, Vice President of Membership and Community Relations for the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, expressed support for Piada’s role in the community.
“Piada’s arrival in Katy is a great example of how businesses can contribute to the vibrancy of our city,” Davitz said. “Their commitment to community engagement and high-quality service makes them a wonderful addition to the Katy area.”
The Piada Grand Morton team in Katy celebrated their new location with the Katy Area As Piada continues to expand, the Grand Morton location serves as both a milestone in its growth and a commitment to fostering stronger community connections, ensuring that its presence in Katy extends beyond dining to meaningful local engagement.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
