Social media has been heating up with praise about Ooni Pizza Ovens.
These outdoor pizza ovens can reach 932 degrees — nearly twice the temperature of a conventional oven — and can cook a pizza in just one minute. They are perfect for backyard get-togethers where everyone gets to create their own specialty pizza.
The Scottish company said it has seen “tremendous” growth in recent years, which has prompted it to expand its U.S. headquarters in Austin.
Ooni hired its first Austin employee in 2019. In June of 2021, Ooni opened its first Austin office — a 6,000-square-foot space at 2810 S. 1st. St. — with a team of about 15 people. Over the past year, the Austin team has grown to roughly 60 people.
Preparing for additional growth in the next several years, Ooni is moving this week to a new office at 979 Springdale Road. The 30,000-square-foot headquarters is equipped with offices, prep kitchens and a rooftop for making pizza.
The expanded headquarters will come in handy as Ooni expects to grow its Austin team by 50 percent heading into 2023, according to Ooni’s Senior Recruiter Leah Mesches.
Married couple Kristian Tapaninaho and Darina Garland launched Ooni, the world’s first portable, wood-fired pizza oven, in 2012.
In celebration of the company’s 10-year anniversary, Ooni is flying all of its employees from around the world to the company’s global headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland. The event, which will be held later this year, will mark the first time the entire company has come together in person.
In addition to making and selling pizza ovens, Ooni donates 1 percent of its annual revenue to social and environmental causes. Through its partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects, the company has planted more than 3.1 million trees in Madagascar.
