Marietta pizza joint Solar Slice Pizza is preparing its first expansion. It will open a second shop in a former MOD pizza space at 3460 Sandy Plains Rd, Suite 250, in the Sandy Plains MarketPlace. Owner Zachary Wyatt told What Now Atlanta that they are awaiting their liquor license and that the opening date will depend on that.
Wyatt, who previously worked on television and film sets for seven years, became intrigued with the idea of opening a pizza shop when he worked at Fellini’s Pizza during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. Wyatt began to craft the concept for Solar Slice, finding ways to innovate a slice shop model. When he and his wife decided to launch a pizza shop in 2024, Wyatt aspired to bring a nostalgic, playful, neighborhood feel to the concept.
“I remember when I was young, and we’d go to the pizza shops in the area after a T-ball game or something; they’d have a Miss Pac-Man game in there or something like that,” Wyatt said.
Harkening back to Wyatt’s own memories, the original Solar Slice restaurant in Marietta offers a space-themed logo, arcade games and a drive-through in addition to dine-in space. Wyatt is a big advocate of open kitchens, a design detail that will be reflected in the new East Cobb outpost.
“With an open kitchen, you can sit down, and you can watch your pizza get made,” Wyatt said. “The goal is for everybody to be able to see it and for it to kind of be the center stage, like in an auditorium.”
Since the forthcoming East Cobb space formerly housed a MOD Pizza, the interior will not need extensive renovations.
Solar Slice Pizza offers pizza by the slice or by the pie, with options ranging from margherita to Hawaiian. They also have added a pizza called The Portnoy to the menu — an ultra-thin, crispy cheese pizza that signifies Dave Portnoy’s visit in May. Other menu offerings include calzones, salads, cheese bread and a s’mores pizza. The East Cobb location will expand beverage offerings from solely beer and wine to include cocktails.
Like the Marietta location, the East Cobb spot will have a family-run atmosphere. Both Wyatt and his wife will be on site often, and customers will likely see both his wife and their newborn greeting customers. Through their family-oriented small business, the Wyatts hope to bring the best quality pizza possible to their community and provide a legacy for their burgeoning family. Moving forward, Wyatt hopes to continue to innovate and push the brand forward.
“We’re risking everything doing what we’re doing, but [we want to] go for it,” Wyatt said. “Let’s do it. Let’s knock it out. Let’s fight the good fight.”
