Some generations, particularly millennials, may nostalgically recall the distinctive 1990s Pizza Hut experience. With red pebble tumbler cups, video games, catchy playlists, the Book It! Book Club, and Tiffany-style lamps, these locations were a staple of many childhoods.
Pizza Hut, founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas, boasts over 6,700 locations nationwide. Despite the trend towards takeout and delivery, a few locations in the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene area still offer the traditional dine-in experience.
Shifting Trends and Nostalgia
According to Joe Kerns, Pizza Hut’s director of operations in North Idaho and Washington, customer preferences have shifted significantly towards delivery and carry-out over the past decade, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “A lot of our restaurants aren’t getting a lot of dine-in business,” Kerns explained. Despite this shift, the remaining dine-in locations continue to offer the traditional experience, complete with a beloved feature: the salad bar.
The Salad Bar’s Appeal
“Everybody loves the salad bar,” Kerns emphasized. “When we had to close down the salad bars due to COVID, after we reopened our dining room, a lot of customers would come in and see that the salad bar wasn’t open and turn right back around and head out the door.”
The salad bar, now featuring enhanced ingredients, remains a major draw for customers. Popular toppings include mushrooms, onions, green peppers, diced eggs, cauliflower, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, sunflower seeds, croutons, and various dressings.
Business Insights and Customer Base
Adam Boone, a manager at the Pizza Hut on 323 N. Sullivan Road, noted that the salad bar remains a significant attraction, especially with their lunch special. “It’s a personal pan one-topping pizza, or eight bone-out wings, and a trip to the salad bar for $9.99,” Boone said. “If you wanted to have salad bar by itself, it’s $7.99 for all-you-can-eat.”
The Pizza Hut at Sullivan Road is among the top three busiest in the area, largely due to its salad bar. Other locations with a salad bar include those at 11820 W. Sunset Hwy. in Airway Heights; 212 West Appleway Ave. in Coeur d’Alene; and 920 E. Polston Ave. in Post Falls.
Future Outlook
Despite the popularity of these traditional dine-in experiences, Pizza Hut is not planning to open new dine-in locations. The focus is on catering to the faster-paced, on-the-go customer demographic. “The new delivery and carry-out units are built for the customer that wants their pizza fast and hot,” Kerns explained.
However, the community-oriented experience at traditional dine-in locations remains valued. “Our traditional restaurants are for people who like to come in and have that community feel again and take their time with their meal,” Kerns added.
Employee and Community Engagement
Pizza Hut locations in the area pride themselves on customer involvement and long-term employee dedication. For instance, the Shadle location recently celebrated two 25-year anniversaries for delivery drivers. The Airway Heights location, near Fairchild Air Force Base, benefits from a strong military community and offers special deals for military personnel.
As society’s dining preferences continue to evolve, these few remaining traditional Pizza Hut locations serve as a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era, preserving the unique dining experiences many hold dear.