DiMaggio's Will Open Second Location in Phoenix
The restaurant is expanding to Phoenix's Uptown Plaza in late 2026 after its first location opened in Scottsdale.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Dining Out
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DiMaggio's Italian Restaurant is scheduled to open its second location at Uptown Plaza in Phoenix during the fourth quarter of 2026. This expansion follows the success of the original site that opened in Scottsdale in 2024.
Why it matters
The restaurant aims to capitalize on existing momentum and strong customer demand. By expanding into a larger space, the owners hope to better accommodate the client base that supported the debut of the brand.
The new Phoenix space will be 30% larger than the inaugural Scottsdale restaurant located at the Grove in McCormick Ranch. The establishment will feature a dedicated private dining room for its guests.
The players
Frank DiMaggio
He is one of the co-owners leading the expansion of the Italian restaurant brand.
Brandon Gioffre
He serves as a co-owner of the restaurant group managing the new Phoenix site.
Michele Gioffre
She is a co-owner currently overseeing the growth of the dining brand.
The details
Taking over the space vacated by Lou Malnati's in the winter of 2025, the new site will replicate the design and atmosphere of the original restaurant. The project marks the second establishment for owners Frank DiMaggio, Brandon Gioffre, and Michele Gioffre.
Timeline
The original Scottsdale location opened in 2024.
Lou Malnati's closed its Uptown Plaza site in the winter of 2025.
The new Phoenix restaurant is scheduled to open in Q4 2026.
Culture Shift
The move aligns with the post-2020 urban commercial real estate shift where growing hospitality brands prioritize the renovation of established retail footprints over new construction. This strategy allows the restaurant to scale its operations while leveraging existing foot traffic in popular commercial centers.
Residents in the Uptown Plaza area will gain a new Italian dining option once the construction finishes in late 2026. The larger floor plan and private dining room will provide locals with increased capacity for group events and private bookings.
The takeaway
The expansion demonstrates how brands can successfully leverage demand from a first location to anchor new developments in nearby cities. Diners can expect the same atmosphere they enjoyed at the original site while benefiting from the additional capacity of the new venue.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, see the latest updates in Dining Out.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTAR.
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