Vero Chicago Pizzeria expected to finally open in Gilbert ‘in next few weeks’

Vero Chicago Pizzeria – formerly (and, by many, still) known as Buddyz Chicago Pizzeria – hoped to open its first franchise around Feb. 1 in Gilbert.

More than four months past that target, things are, um, progressing at the former Barro’s Pizza restaurant near the southwest corner of Williams Field and Val Vista.

‘‘We are dealing with the shortages of material and labor that every industry is currently experiencing,’’ says Vero marketing director Taao Scarnato.

He says the kitchen is 90% finished, but they’re still waiting on some essential front-of-the-house items like bar and table tops.

Scarnato hopes to begin staff hiring and training by the end of June. Current plans call for opening ‘‘in the next few weeks’’ for takeout only while finishing work on the dining area.

This summer’s planned launch of the franchisee’s second location – near the southwest corner of Gilbert and Chandler Heights in Chandler – has been pushed back to October.

‘‘However, if the state of everything remains the same,’’ Scarnato admits, ‘‘we could be looking closer to winter.’’