Retired pro football player Eric King got his first taste of Happy’s Pizza when he played for the Detroit Lions three years ago. But now he doesn’t have to go back to the Motor City for seconds.

King, 32, opened his own pizzeria last month in Crenshaw, where he plans to introduce Angelenos to Happy’s Midwest style of deep-dish pizza, ribs and chicken wings.

King and his wife, Sofia, struck a deal with Happy’s founder Happy Asker to bring the concept to Los Angeles, King’s postfootball home.

“When I was finishing up my football career as a Detroit Lion, I saw the brand and how it was growing,” King said. “We wanted to be involved in some type of business so, moving with that entrepreneurial spirit, we decided to take the brand and what Happy wanted to do and grow the brand in the L.A. area.”

King said he knew he wanted to operate restaurant franchises and thought about partnering with a number of popular chains. But enticed by the challenge of launching an unfamiliar brand in a new market, he decided to run with Happy’s.

It costs about $385,000 – including a $35,000 franchise fee and construction costs – to open a Happy’s, said Sherrie Handrinos, a spokeswoman for the company.

The Crenshaw location is King’s first, but he said he wants to eventually open more stores in Southern California.

“One of the biggest commitments is being willing to get your hands dirty,” King said. “From there, the opportunity will be there because it is a relatively new brand and something in a great area that can be expanded.”

– Cale Ottens