Armand’s has officially served its last slice in Rockville. The longtime pizzeria closed its doors for the final time on Saturday, June 20, ending more than five decades of serving Montgomery County residents and visitors. With the closure of the Rockville restaurant, the only remaining Armand’s location is Armand’s Bistro & Pizza in Bethany Beach, Delaware.
The final days brought an outpouring of support from customers eager to revisit a favorite local institution one last time. On Friday, prior to opening for the day, lines stretched down the block as longtime patrons stopped by for one final meal, sharing memories of birthday parties, family gatherings, sports celebrations, and countless pizza nights over the years.
Just days before closing, we shared news of an auction featuring restaurant equipment, furniture, memorabilia, and other pieces of its history. Among the most notable items is a 1986 Toyota pickup truck converted into an Armand’s-branded delivery vehicle, a recognizable symbol from the restaurant’s earlier years.
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 that once included 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 helped make the brand a local favorite.
The restaurant received renewed recognition in recent years, winning Taste MoCo’s 2021 pizza tournament and being named WTOP’s Best Pizza in 2022. When 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 chapter has come to an end, the Armand’s name will live on at Armand’s Bistro & Pizza in Bethany Beach, often known as Armand’s By The Sea. The Delaware restaurant has been operating since 2002 and is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
