There is a line out the door and down the block Friday at Armand’s Pizzeria & Grille in Rockville as customers gathered for one last meal before the longtime restaurant closes permanently.
The restaurant’s final day of operation is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, bringing an end to more than five decades of serving Montgomery County residents and visitors.
Customers began lining up Friday morning, with the crowd continuing into the afternoon as many stopped by to revisit a favorite local institution one last time. The closure announcement has generated an outpouring of memories from longtime patrons who celebrated birthdays, family gatherings, sports victories, and everyday meals at the Rockville restaurant over the years.
Just days before serving its final slice, Armand’s also announced an upcoming auction featuring equipment, furniture, memorabilia, and other items from the restaurant. Among the more notable pieces is a 1986 Toyota pickup truck converted into an Armand’s-branded delivery vehicle, a recognizable part of the restaurant’s history.
Founded in 1975 by Lew Newmyer after being inspired by Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, Armand’s grew from a single pizzeria near Tenley Circle in Washington, D.C. into a regional chain with more than 25 locations throughout the Washington area. While the Rockville restaurant operated under separate family ownership in recent years, it continued serving the recipes and traditions that made the brand a local favorite.
The restaurant earned renewed recognition in recent years, winning Taste MoCo’s 2021 pizza tournament and being named WTOP’s Best Pizza in 2022. In announcing the closure, owners Chris Sappe and Jim Hrozencik thanked customers for their decades of support. “The support you have given us over the years has meant more than words can express,” they wrote. “You have celebrated milestones, shared laughs, and supported us for over 50 years.”
While the Rockville location is closing, Armand’s name will continue on at Armand’s Bistro & Pizza in Bethany Beach, Delaware. Often referred to as Armand’s By The Sea, the restaurant has operated since 2002 and is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
