Those who went to KU, K-State are likely familiar with this Wichita-bound chain
If you attended KU or K-State during the past four decades, you probably remember the jingle — and you almost definitely remember the flavor.
Pizza Shuttle, which since 1984 has been luring college-age customers with inexpensive late-night pies and a catchy musical jingle — “Call 842-1212… call us now at Pizza Shuttle” — is about to expand into Wichita.
The owners of Social Tap’s three area locations —Justin Neel, Luke Luttrell and David Hopkins — are preparing to open Wichita’s first Pizza Shuttle restaurant at Wichita State University. It’ll be in the Braeburn Square development on the Innovation Campus near 21st and Oliver, where the original Social Tap opened in 2021. Pizza Shuttle will take over the space next to Jersey Mike’s that was previously occupied by Pedego Wichita, an electric bike store.
Neel said that the shop should be open by the end of the month. He and his partners are aiming for Jan. 29.
The deal came about, Neel said, when he met Pizza Shuttle owner Ryan Wright. Wright purchased the chain, which was founded in Lawrence in 1984, six years ago.
But he was in Wichita looking for spots for a Pizza Shuttle , and Neel got an introduction. He and his partners liked the idea of being the local licensees, Neel said. Although he and partners all attended Wichita State University for college, they learned about Pizza Shuttle when they would visit friends at KU and K-State.
Neel said he remembered that during one such visit, his buddy and his buddy’s dorm friends made a late-night Pizza Shuttle run, and the number of pizzas they purchased surprised Neel.
“They’re like, ‘Oh, no. It’s just five bucks,” Neel said with a laugh.
Though Pizza Shuttle pizzas have gone up in price since then, it’s still an economical choice for students on a budget, Neel said. When Wichita’s Pizza Shuttle opens, it will offer a 10-inch pizza with a drink for $8 and a 14-inch pizza with two drinks for $14.
Wichita’s Pizza Shuttle won’t be open until 2 a.m. like the ones that operate in Lawrence and Manhattan. But it will stay open until midnight.
“If we see the need to be open till two o’clock in the morning, we will push it there,” Neel said. “But since we’re not a traditional college campus I don’t see the drive like they have at KU and K-State.”
A big part of the Pizza Shuttle model is delivery. At first, Neel said, Wichita’s restaurant will offer delivery through third-party vendors like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Eventually, they’ll also establish their own delivery service, which will deliver food within a 5- to 8-mile radius.
Wichita’s Pizza Shuttle will have a small amount of dine-in seating, but it will also have a back patio. In the spring, it will start serving canned beer, and Neel said he hopes that WSU students will make the restaurant a hangout.
The food all comes in boxes and to-go packaging, regardless of whether people intend to dine-in, carry out or order delivery.
Neel said he’s not worried that his two pizza concepts in Braeburn Square — Pizza Shuttle and Social Tap — will be competing with each other because what they offer is so different.
“Social Tap is more of an artisan, wood-fired pizza,” he said. “And this is more college-style pizza. It’s definitely different. Pizza Shuttle is based off of quality, quick, fast ingredients. That’s what it’s about: speed and a price point.”
In addition to Lawrence and Manhattan, Pizza Shuttle also operates in Topeka and in Kansas City, Missouri. Neel said he hopes to eventually open more than one Pizza Shuttle location in Wichita.
He and his partners have been hearing from many locals who are excited to have the pizza they remember from their college days available in Wichita.
“It’s been a good time, learning the culture and history,” Neel said. “It produces memories of campus — being open late, getting pizza late.”
This story was originally published January 19, 2026 at 5:05 AM with the headline "Those who went to KU, K-State are likely familiar with this Wichita-bound chain."
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