Pizza Hut Helps Revitalize SpeedwayLaRaza Pizza Inc., a franchise of Pizza Hut, is investing about $600,000 to remodel the former Burger King site at 6111Crawfordsville Road. The eyesore will soon be replaced with a state of the art Pizza Hut and Wing Street family dining restaurant including outdoor seating and drive-through service. Not only is it a major remodel, the new location will provide better customer service by consolidating the Pizza Huts at High School Road and Crawfordsville Road under one roof. The remodeling will also provide the functional space to expand the menu of wings, salads and a new pasta line. LaRaza Vice-President Trent Maples said he came from Texas two-years ago and purchased 50 stores in Central Indiana along with 25 stores in Texas and New Mexico. The franchise employs about 2,000 people in central Indiana and 875 people in Texas and New Mexico. Maples shared his employee expectation. It is “customer mania” with Pizza Hut that means the customer is number one; therefore Maples expects all of his employees to present a positive attitude and provide good customer service.“I tell the employees I don’t write their pay check, the customer does,” he said. Maples and his partner manage their stores with district managers and area coaches that are responsible for profitability. “This has been the best experience coming to Indiana. The people are friendlier than in Texas. I came from Texas. I was an avid Cowboy fan but they got T.O., so it was time to go. If there was ever truly a God’s team, it is the Indianapolis Colts.” Maples said. Although Maples is a Colts fan, the restaurant will have Indy 500 décor including a replica of the brickyard finishing line. The store will have five plasma televisions along with a wine bar. “I am applying for a three-way liquor license but the focus is still family dining. This will allow parents to have a drink with their pizza.” Maples said he did not do any market research. “I follow Walgreen and CVS.” His decision to move to this site was based on CVS’ decision to demolish the Wendy’s location, so it could build a new store at Crawfordsville Road and Cunningham Road “Business is growing and we have limited space with the current stores. By combining the two, we’ll have more capacity and better customer service. I like the opportunity to have Pizza Hut with Wing Street image line and expanded menu.” District Manager Steven Birch said. . |
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