Showbiz Pizza Zone, located at 3928 US Hwy 80 W in Phenix City, Alabama, operated as a family entertainment center and restaurant from 2008 until its closure on May 30, 2010. Founded by Chris Thrash, a car salesman and enthusiast of the original ShowBiz Pizza Place, the venue aimed to recreate the classic 1980s pizza and arcade experience. Thrash utilized his personal “Rock-afire Explosion” animatronic show, which he acquired in 2006, as the central attraction. The establishment also featured a sizeable arcade with various games and rides, including a small red truck, a prize counter, and served pizza in a buffet-style setup.
The Phenix City location, situated near Leonia Square in a former Piggly Wiggly building, offered a nostalgic environment with original ShowBiz Pizza Place tables, posters, and a Billy Bob walkaround. Thrash funded the venture with savings from multiple part-time jobs, hoping to share his passion for the Rock-afire Explosion with the public. However, Showbiz Pizza Zone faced financial difficulties, leading to its closure in 2010 when Thrash could no longer cover operational costs and taxes. Following the closure, the Rock-afire Explosion animatronics were sold back to Aaron Fechter and eventually found a new home at Wolmi Theme Park in South Korea.
