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The Colorado culinary landscape saw a significant expansion this week as Homegrown Tap & Dough officially opened its doors in Colorado Springs on Tuesday, October 27. Located at 5710 S. Carefree Circle, near the bustling intersection of North Powers Boulevard and South Carefree Circle, the establishment marks the seventh location for the brand and the inaugural entry into the Colorado Springs market for the Denver-based Gastamo Group. This opening represents the culmination of a three-year development project aimed at integrating a high-volume, community-focused dining concept into one of the fastest-growing regions in the state.
The new facility spans 6,000 square feet and has been designed to accommodate a high volume of patrons, with seating for 215 guests in the main dining area and an additional 106 seats on an expansive outdoor patio. Beyond its physical footprint, the restaurant has made a notable impact on the local labor market, creating 104 new jobs. The operation is under the leadership of Kelley Compton, who serves as Gastamo Group’s first managing partner, a move that signals a shift in the group’s internal leadership structure to allow for more localized oversight and community engagement.
Strategic Expansion and Property Redevelopment
The arrival of Homegrown Tap & Dough in Colorado Springs is not merely a standard franchise opening but the result of an intensive property redevelopment. The site underwent a complete transformation, which included gutting the original building to its shell. The project involved expanding the outdoor footprint and adding new exterior structures to create a modern, industrial-chic aesthetic that aligns with the brand’s identity while paying homage to its new surroundings.
Collaborating with the renowned architecture firm HSU Office, Gastamo Group focused on creating a space that functions as both a high-capacity restaurant and an art gallery of local history. Peter Newlin, CEO of Gastamo Group, characterized the project as one of the most ambitious and complex builds in the company’s history. The three-year timeline reflects the challenges of redeveloping a significant piece of real estate and the company’s commitment to ensuring the venue felt established rather than prefabricated.
The choice of location at Powers and Carefree is strategic. The Powers Boulevard corridor has become a primary commercial artery for Colorado Springs, serving a massive residential population that includes a high concentration of military families, young professionals, and long-time residents. By choosing this site, Homegrown Tap & Dough positions itself at the heart of a suburban hub that has seen a surge in demand for upscale-casual dining options that offer more than standard fast-food fare.
Artistic Tribute to Military Heritage
A defining feature of the Colorado Springs location is its deep visual and thematic connection to the United States Armed Forces. Given the city’s identity as a "military town"—home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the U.S. Air Force Academy—the restaurant’s design seeks to honor this demographic through curated art.
The centerpiece of the dining room is a massive American flag installation created by Colorado-based artist Dolan Geiman. This is not a standard flag; it is a multi-dimensional collage that incorporates authentic military memorabilia donated by families from the local community and across the nation. The installation includes handwritten letters exchanged between overseas servicemen and their families during World War II and the Korean War, providing a poignant, tactile connection to the past.
Specific artifacts embedded in the work include a U.S. Navy garrison cap donated by a retired naval officer, Marine Corps insignia, and Naval Reserve patches. The piece also features wartime songbooks and vintage Colorado keepsakes. Furthermore, the restaurant pays tribute to Colorado’s specific military contributions through the inclusion of a Ski Patrol gondola and vintage Tenth Mountain Division skis. The Tenth Mountain Division, an elite light infantry unit that trained at Camp Hale in the Colorado Rockies during World War II, is credited with birthed the modern American ski industry, making the tribute both a military and a cultural nod to the state’s heritage.
Culinary Philosophy and Menu Innovation
The menu at the Colorado Springs location remains true to the "Homegrown" ethos, focusing on hand-tossed, wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta dishes. However, the group has utilized this new flagship to introduce several operational firsts. The menu is designed to be inclusive, offering a variety of gluten-free and vegetarian options to cater to modern dietary preferences without sacrificing the traditional Italian-American comfort food profile.
The beverage program emphasizes local sourcing, featuring a robust selection of Colorado craft beers and a list of handcrafted cocktails. A significant change for the brand at this location is the expansion of its "Happy Hour" offerings. While the standard 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. window remains in place from Sunday through Thursday, the Colorado Springs restaurant has introduced a late-night happy hour from 8 p.m. to close. This secondary window is specifically designed to cater to the late-shift workforce and the evening crowd, offering $6 specials on select 22-ounce draft beers, wines, and cocktails, alongside food bites starting at $6.
Philanthropic Integration with Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center
In a move to solidify its status as a "real neighbor," as CEO Peter Newlin phrased it, Homegrown Tap & Dough has launched a significant philanthropic partnership for its inaugural month. Throughout November, the restaurant will donate $1 from every 14-inch pizza sold to the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center.
Mt. Carmel is a cornerstone of the Southern Colorado military support network. The organization provides a wide array of services, including transition assistance for those leaving active duty, employment programs, behavioral health and wellness services, and connections to essential community resources. By aligning with Mt. Carmel, Gastamo Group is directly reinvesting in the demographic that the restaurant’s decor honors.
Bob McLaughlin, Executive Director of Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, expressed the importance of such corporate partnerships. He noted that the collaboration helps ensure that veterans do not "fall through the cracks" by providing the funding necessary to maintain high-touch support services. In addition to the November pizza promotion, all Gastamo Group restaurants have implemented a permanent 10 percent discount for active-duty service members and veterans, a policy intended to provide ongoing recognition of their service.
Economic and Industry Implications
The opening of Homegrown Tap & Dough in Colorado Springs is indicative of a broader trend in the Colorado restaurant industry: the migration of successful Denver-born concepts into secondary markets. As the Denver metro area becomes increasingly saturated and real estate costs continue to climb, groups like Gastamo are looking toward the Colorado Springs and Fort Collins markets for growth.
Colorado Springs, in particular, offers a compelling case for expansion. According to U.S. Census data and local economic development reports, the city has seen consistent population growth, often outpacing Denver in terms of percentage increases. This growth, coupled with a diverse economy rooted in aerospace, defense, and tourism, creates a stable environment for large-scale restaurant investments.
The creation of 104 jobs at a single location is a significant contribution to the local economy. Furthermore, the decision to promote from within—appointing Kelley Compton as the first managing partner—reflects a trend toward decentralized management in the hospitality sector. By giving local leaders a stake in the success of the branch, parent companies can better navigate the specific cultural and operational nuances of a new city.
Operational Hours and Future Outlook
Homegrown Tap & Dough is now operating with full service hours. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with extended hours on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. As the brand settles into the Carefree Circle neighborhood, management expects the location to serve as a blueprint for future expansions outside of the Denver core.
The success of this launch will likely be measured not just by sales volume, but by the brand’s ability to maintain its "neighborhood" feel despite its 6,000-square-foot size. With a combination of historical art, community-focused philanthropy, and a menu designed for broad appeal, Homegrown Tap & Dough is positioning itself as a permanent fixture in the Colorado Springs dining scene.
As the Gastamo Group looks toward the future, the ambitious nature of this build suggests that the company is moving away from smaller, modular footprints in favor of large-scale, "destination" dining experiences. By integrating local history and supporting veteran-focused non-profits, the group is betting that a deep connection to the local community is the most effective way to ensure long-term viability in a competitive market.
