Mr Gatti's Pizza to open inside Walmart locations in Texas, 3 other states

Walmart customers at select stores will soon be able to grab pizza from a Texas-based eatery while shopping as part of an expansion in four states.

Texas-based restaurant Mr Gatti’s Pizza announced in a news release Thursday that it will open 92 corporate-owned units inside Walmart locations in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kentucky.

The expansion will begin later this year with 12 new locations in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma. More restaurants will eventually open in Walmarts in other states.

“This partnership will kick off later this year with the launch of 12 units, nearly doubling our national footprint and bringing our delicious pizza to new markets,” the company wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.

'A one-stop destination'

Walmart locations will have counter service and seating for customers to grab a bite to eat. The menu will include pizzas, wings, salads, sandwiches and other items, according to the news release.

Shoppers will be able to place orders through the Mr Gatti's app and pick up their food by the time they’re done shopping, the restaurant said. Some locations will also offer delivery.

Amy White, Senior Manager Business Development at Walmart, said the restaurant addition will make it easy for shoppers to do everything in one place.

“This collaboration not only aligns with our commitment to offering diverse and high-quality options but also supports our goal of creating a one-stop destination for all our customers' needs,” she said.

'One slice at a time'

Jim Phillips, CEO of Mr Gatti's Pizza, said in a news release that the deal was Walmart’s idea. The retailer contacted the restaurant due to its reputation in the Lone Star state.

"We've been vocal for years now about our ambitious growth goals, and this partnership with Walmart enables us to accelerate our expansion into new areas while continuing to strengthen our presence in familiar communities, bolstering our legacy for long-term success, one slice at a time,” Phillips said.

Once the new locations open, the restaurant will have more than 230 units open. This will be the chain's largest expansion in its 55-year history, the news release stated.

A 55-year legacy

Mr Gatti's Pizza originally opened in 1964 as The Pizza Place in Stephenville, Texas, about 154 miles north of Austin. The business relocated to Austin in 1969 and changed its name to honor the maiden name of restaurant founder James Eure's wife.

The map below shows the original location in Stephenville.

— USA TODAY reporter Saleen Martin contributed to this report.