OKLAHOMA CITY (October 23, 2023) — Empire Slice House, Oklahoma’s iconic pop culture-influenced pizzeria, is thrilled to celebrate its 10th anniversary on Saturday, October 28, with a day-long festival from noon to 8 p.m. at 1720 NW 16th Street in OKC’s Plaza District. The milestone festivities will take place just as a significant development in the Empire Slice House journey kicks off, with the 7th location of Empire debuting as an official concessions partner of the Paycom Center during the OKC Thunder home season opener on Sunday, October 29.
Since 2013, Empire Slice House has garnered many local and national accolades, including being recognized as Independent Pizzeria of the Year for the United States by Pizza Today in 2018. Over the years, full pie and slice names have showcased the personality of a generation raised by pop culture, with titles such as the Notorious P.I.G., Rocksteady, Uncle Buck, and MCA. Empire began as the brainchild of Founder and CEO Rachel Cope, whose late-night pizza-by-the-slice destination grew into the concept that jump-started 84 Hospitality Group and inspired sister concepts across various culinary ventures statewide. Empire now has six locations between Slice Houses and Slice Shops in OKC, Edmond and Tulsa, and 84 Hospitality Groups also owns and manages Burger Punk, Goro Ramen and Remix Ramen across the OKC Metro area.
"It's difficult to believe that it's been ten years since we opened the doors of Empire Slice House, which officially launched our brand of hospitality in Oklahoma City,” Cope said. “We're humbled by the support we've received from our incredible community, and this festival is our way of saying thank you all and cheers to many more. We are nothing without our team and all of those along the way who helped make us who we are today. We're also thrilled to be part of the Paycom Center family and can't wait to bring the Empire Slice House experience to sports and concert fans coming from near and far."
The 10th anniversary event doubles as a nod of customer appreciation and offers live music and family-friendly fun, such as marinara wrestling, a pizza eating contest, a Halloween costume contest and a raffle with cash prizes benefiting Positive Tomorrows and Sisu Youth Services. Individual slices will be available for sale at the event, not too far away from the Plaza District Empire location where a full menu will be served all day. The event will also feature the Cascade Crusher, a Session Saison brewed in collaboration with Stonecloud Brewing Company, which can be purchased now until supplies run out at any Empire location statewide. Empire has partnered with the District’s No Regrets to cover the cost for the first 10 people who get one of the official Empire tattoos, which yields 50% off pizza for life at any existing or future locations.
This celebratory event marks a decade of NY-style pizza in the Plaza but also serves as a prelude to the grand opening of Empire Slice House's 7th location, inside the Paycom Center. The outpost at the Paycom Center will serve longtime fans of Empire with their favorite slices and garlic knots, while introducing visitors to a specialty slice only available at arena events.
Over the years Empire has proven to be an active supporter of arts and education statewide, sponsoring various events across the communities they serve. In 2018 Empire announced its Empire for Education initiative which offers an evergreen 25% discount for all teachers with a valid school ID across all Empire locations.
For more information about Empire Slice House's 10th Anniversary Festival, please visit https://www.empireslicepizza.com/ANNIVERSARY/ or follow on social media @empireslicehouse for updates.