San Francisco-based Amici's East Coast Pizzeria will open a new outlet in Shanghai in January 2012.

According to Peter Cooperstein, the privately-held company's co-founder and president, the first "Ello Amici's" is located on Xiangyang Road in Shanghai. The China opening is the product of collaboration between Cooperstein, partner Mike Forter and local partners in China.

Ello Amici's will offer Chinese patrons a similar menu to that available to Amici's diners in the Bay Area.

"Our goal is to open several locations in Shanghai and then expand into Beijing, Hong Kong, Macau and other areas in China," Cooperstein said.