Fred’s Pizza Express has been a community staple since 1971, but its tradition of holiday decorating began in 2009 when the restaurant’s dining room first opened. Each October, the local favorite transforms into a Halloween pizzeria complete with festive decor and pumpkin-shaped pizzas.
“In the restaurant business, atmosphere plays a big role in the overall experience,” co-owner Kyle McGraw said. “There are many places to get good food and great service, but providing a unique and seasonal atmosphere is something we feel is a staple of success.”
Since 2009, Fred’s Pizza Express has made an effort to decorate for every major holiday, with Halloween standing out as one of its most popular themes. The decorations have expanded over the years as new ideas and displays are added annually. The process is led by Courtney McGraw and her mother Julie Haller, who are responsible for planning, staging and setting up the decor.
“It’s a lot of work,” co-owner Courtney McGraw said. “Most people don’t understand the effort that goes into the planning and the dismantling of the previous theme to create a new look. With our store hours, the decorating happens in the early morning hours when the dining room is closed. It’s well planned, and it happens fast.”
Children enjoy interacting with the decorations, while adults often take photos by the displays.
“People will come in and say, ‘It’s about time for you guys to start decorating, isn’t it?’” Courtney said. “That tells us people don’t just like it — they expect it.”
The pumpkin-shaped pizza, now a seasonal favorite, originated from the restaurant’s Valentine’s Day heart-shaped pizza. After seeing the popularity of the heart design, the owners wanted to create something similar for Halloween.
“Our initial idea was to make something fun for school Halloween parties,” Courtney McGraw said. “Parents usually make themed treats like ghost-shaped cookies or cupcakes. We thought a pumpkin-shaped pizza would be the perfect addition.”
To make the pizzas, Kyle McGraw designed a metal stencil using his background in manufacturing. Each pizza is hand-formed into a pumpkin shape before baking.
The community response has been strong, with local families and schools planning Halloween parties and field trips to Fred’s Pizza Express. The restaurant staff begins preparing early in the year, reserving time for the busy final days of October.
“After Labor Day, we start working on the projected number of pumpkin pizzas and begin promoting on social media,” Kyle McGraw said. “During the last few days of the month, we’re all hands-on deck.”
Looking ahead, Fred’s Pizza Express plans to continue expanding its holiday themes and decorations.
“We try to stay current and unpredictable,” Kyle McGraw said. “We want to be a dependable place for good energy, great food and a seasonal environment unlike anywhere else.”
Fred’s Pizza Express encourages the community to stop by, enjoy the decorations and try one of the restaurant’s signature pumpkin-shaped pizzas. Whether it’s a family dinner, a school celebration or a quick lunch with friends, the restaurant endeavors to make every visit a memorable part of the season.
