Northern Lights Pizza to open at former FNNB Bank location

Northern Lights Pizza is coming to Newton.

A sign on the property of FNNB Bank, 1821 First Ave. E., says the Midwest-based pizzeria is opening soon and is now accepting applications for employees. Kerry Petersen, founder of Northern Lights Pizza, told Newton News the eatery is expected to tentatively open this summer.

Right now, the building is under renovation. Once the remodeling work and employee training have wrapped up, Petersen said the Newton location will be able to start serving pizzas, breadsticks and its signature “Scooby Snacks” to hungry customers.

This will be the first Northern Lights Pizza to operate in Jasper County.

Northern Lights Pizza has two different types of restaurant models. The DASH-style is an “express unit” typically found in gas stations. The traditional store, which is opening in Newton, provides full carryout and delivery meals. A franchisee will operate the Newton restaurant.

Prior to settling on the eastern FNNB building, there were talks of opening in Legacy Plaza. However, Petersen said that idea did not work out. But the storefront on First Avenue East, he added, is “going to go really well.”

The first Northern Lights Pizza opened in 1994 in Clive before expanding to six locations across the Des Moines metro. The company said by 2006 it then opened the first of three locations in Kansas City. Today, the pizza business continues to grow throughout Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska.

In November 2019, FNNB Bank closed its plaza location on First Avenue East and relocating its staff to the downtown business at 100 N. Second Ave. W., Newton News’ Dustin Teays previously reported

Originally referred to as First Newton National Bank, the company officially changed its name to FNNB Bank in 2016.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com