HERMISTON – Whether it’s hot from the gas-fired oven or ready for your own oven at home, Figaro’s Pizza is open and ready to serve the Hermiston community. Figaro’s, which was founded in Salem in 1981, is considered one of the fastest-growing franchise operations in the U.S., said new franchise co-owner Steve Taylor of Pendleton.

The Hermiston restaurant is the result of a partnership between brothers Steve and Keith Taylor, of Beaverton.

“My brother and I have always talked about how we should go into business with each other,” he said. “We decided to look at franchises when a friend pointed out that new businesses have a high failure rate, while new franchises have a high rate of success.”

The brothers were most impressed by Figaro’s. They formed Self Reliant LLC with partners Tim Pilch of Hermiston and Chris Layton and bought five franchise locations. In addition to Hermiston, they hold franchises for Pendleton, La Grande, Hood River and The Dalles.

“We’re opening the Hermiston franchise first because we had the location,” Steve Taylor explained. “We hope to open one every year.”

Taylor said Figaro’s is committed to customer service and providing a high-quality product. The large menu offers everything from specialty pizzas to calzones, available either as take and bake or, for $2 more, cooked on the premises. Figaro’s also has a drive-up window.

Other menu items include kid’s pizza meals, salads, lasagna and special lunch combos featuring personal-sized pizzas or calzones.

Rachel Casebourne is the manager for Figaro’s.

Even before the store opened, Taylor was singing her praises.

“She is so skilled at selecting and managing the crew,” he said. “She is so outstanding.”

The Hermiston Figaro’s is already open. Taylor said the official grand opening will be after the first of the new year.

Things to know

Where: 1565 N. First St., Highway 395 Mall

Manager: Rachel Casebourne

Owners: Steve Taylor, Keith Taylor, Tim Pilch, Chris Layton

Hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Menu: Pizzas, calzones, lasagne and breadsticks either baked on the premises or prepared for you to bake at home. Salads, dinner, lunch and kid’s deals, fountain and bottled soft drinks.

On the Web: www.figaros.com.

Phone: 567-6869