A New Chapter for Block City McKenzie

January 1 brought in a new year, new resolutions and the start of a new chapter for Block City Pizza in McKenzie. Longtime owner Matt Lane announced his departure from his family’s pizza chain on December 20, following over twelve years of owning and operating the McKenzie branch. December 31 was his final day as owner.

In his announcement, Lane assured the community that the restaurant would remain in good hands, as his sister and her husband — Kirsten and Grant McPeake — would become the new owners. The McPeake family already owns and manages the chain’s Huntingdon and Hollow Rock locations, with Kirsten primarily managing the Huntingdon location and Grant managing the Hollow Rock location.

Following Lane’s departure, the McPeakes will split their time managing all three locations, promising to be hands-on and present in Hollow Rock, Huntingdon and McKenzie.

Vernon Lane, Matt and Kirsten’s grandfather, opened Block City Pizza in Hollow Rock in 1993, beginning a family business that would span decades. Vernon’s son, Marvin (and wife, Shelly), took over the business in 1994 and, six years later, opened the Huntingdon location. Marvin and Shelly raised their three kids — Matthew, Kirsten and Kayla — in the business, with them helping around the restaurant at as early as five years old.

In 2012, Lane developed plans to open a Block City Pizza location in McKenzie. He was completing his undergraduate business management degree at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and began focusing his time on opening and managing the new store. He designed the new building as a mirror of the Hollow Rock location – only larger.

When the McKenzie location officially opened in September 2013, Lane had full control of it. Twelve and a half years later, the business has grown into a staple for the McKenzie community and even received the 2018 “Best Slice of Tennessee” award from the Tennessee Department of Economic Development.

Leaving was a difficult decision for Lane, but it was one he had debated for months.

“I want more family time,” Lane said. “Having two young kids and a wife who works a different shift than me, it’s kind of hard.”

Lane and his wife, Sydney, share two children — Bennett, 4, and Tatum, 2. Sydney is a second grade teacher at McKenzie Elementary School.

Ultimately, he made his decision in October 2025 when he missed out on trick-or-treating with his son.

“I couldn’t be there,” he said. “That’s when I knew I needed to do something different.”

Lane spoke with Kirsten before Thanksgiving, and they solidified their plans before Christmas.

December 31 was Lane’s last day at Block City Pizza. Kirsten and Grant assumed ownership in the new year.

January 1 wasn’t Kirsten’s first time working at the McKenzie location, though. She had worked there for about a year and a half while attending Bethel University. While in school, she realized that she also wanted to run a Block City Pizza store. She graduated school in 2014 and returned to work at the Huntingdon store.

Kirsten worked at Huntingdon’s Block City Pizza for a few years before buying it from Marvin and Shelly Lane in 2018.

She and Grant got married that same year, and he began working at the store. Over the years, they have found their groove owning both the Huntingdon and Hollow Rock stores. Together they share three daughters — Oakley, 5, Athena, 3, and Valerie, 10 months — who are already familiar faces at the restaurants. Kirsten said Oakley already has her own clock-in number.

“[Block City Pizza] is our fourth, fifth and sixth child,” Kirsten said. “[Working here] is like breathing. I eat, sleep, breathe Block City, basically.”

As they transition into their ownership role in McKenzie, Kirsten said she wants it to be seamless.

“We just want to keep it as smooth as possible,” Kirsten said. “We hope that people accept us…I know that we’re not a part of McKenzie, necessarily, yet. We don’t know the people yet. We want to get to know the people. We like talking to the customers. We like getting to know people. We just don’t yet. So talk to us. Ask for us. We will happily come and talk.”

As Lane departs, he has confidence that his family will keep the business growing. “I think they can make it even better,” he said.

Kirsten and Grant McPeake love Block City Pizza.

“This is where I want to be. I want to be in the back. This is the job that I love. That’s why I can keep going,” Kirsten said. “And the food’s good.”

While there will be no formal meet-and-greet for the new owners, Kirsten and Grant plan to be at Block City Pizza in McKenzie on Monday, Wednesday and Friday of next week (January 12-16). Afterward, they intend to be at the McKenzie location as often as possible, getting to know and serve their new community.

Block City Pizza’s McKenzie branch is located at 276 Main Street South, McKenzie.