Promising free pizza to the first 52 people through the door is one way to get a line started but MOD Pizza now open in West Seattle had a storied reputation behind it already, and a lot of people anxious to see the ribbon cut. 

That happened on Friday at its new store located at 4755 Fauntleroy Way SW in the Whittaker complex with West Seattle Chamber President Pete Spalding in attendance and the 30 or so members of the MOD Pizza crew on hand.

There was indeed a big line out front but in keeping with the company policy, they made the pizzas "super fast" in as little as 90 seconds thanks to extremely hot ovens. 

MOD, was founded in 2008 by husband and wife, Scott and Ally Svenson right here in Seattle. They were the founders of the Seattle Coffee Company prior to that which was very successful but was sold to Starbucks. Fast casual restaurants have been part of a trend and with rise of chains like Chipotle were fresh food was offered in a customizable way, served fast and a low price it might have a lot of appeal. The Svensons also had other guiding principles. To pay employees as much as possible and given real opportunities for growth, and for many even given second chances.

From a single location in downtown the company has grown with blazing speed to now have more than 300 locations here and in the U.K. They are now one of the fastest growing chains in the world.

MOD lets you customize your pizza and it comes in nine "classics," or signature pizzas in an 11 inch size though they also offer a child's pizza in a six inch size and while prices can vary by location the price in West Seattle is $8.47. They can make you a "mega pizza" for $3 more for bigger appetites and is basically a double decker with two crusts. Extra ingredients incur no extra charge.

The company likes to say it's "pizza with a purpose" using the food as a platform to help employees (they often hire the disabled or people who have spent time in jail) and to give back to the community.

Their hours are 10:30am weekdays till 10pm and then till 11pm on weekends.