Even though pizza is on the nameplate, Niles’ newest restaurant has a lot more to offer than just melted cheese and toppings on a golden crust.

Cottage Inn Pizza, which officially opens today, also serves up oven-fresh calzones, toasted sub sandwiches, chicken wings, lasagna, salads, breadsticks, cheese bread and desserts.

It is this selection — combined with quality and price — that owners Gary and Tina Sherman think will help the food chain stand out among a crowded Niles pizza market.

“We just hope the community likes the food and they keep coming back,” said Tina.

Cottage Inn Pizza is located next to the Shell Station at 434 S. 11th St. — formerly the home of Quiznos Subs, which closed in the spring of 2012 after a nearly seven-year run.

The owners are Niles natives and graduates of Niles High School — Gary in 1982 and Tina in 1986.

They said they ran a painting business before deciding to switch professions during a chance encounter with a Cottage Inn Pizza executive at the Michigan International Speedway a year and a half ago.

“We started talking to him and he asked us where we were from,” Gary said. “When I told him, he wanted to know if we’d be interested in doing a Cottage Inn there.”

Tina said they have 20 employees, including twin daughters Kayla Polly and Seeairah Nichols. A soft opening was hosted Thursday.

The company’s history dates back to 1948 with the opening of Cottage Inn restaurant in Ann Arbor. After years of success and growth, the business opened its first franchise in Ypsilanti in 1986. Today, there are more than 40 Cottage Inn stores and franchises in Michigan and Ohio.

Pizzas range widely from standard cheese and pepperoni to the more exotic gourmet styles like The Cuban — a pizza featuring Carolina Tangy Gold BBQ sauce, pulled pork and ham topped with bread and butter pickles.

There are vegetarian and gluten-free options as well.

Pizza prices start at $3.99 for a 7-inch personal and go up to $17.99 for an extra-large 16-inch gourmet pizza. Customers can also choose different types of crust.

A full menu can be found online at cottageinn.com.

Dine-in, carry-out, delivery and catering options are available.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Call (269) 262-0369 or order online.