Pat’s Pizza in Dover-Foxcroft will temporarily close on Mondays to make improvements. The restaurant, like many others, is struggling with staffing issues since the pandemic. Even though 4 years have passed, many Maine bars and restaurants are still finding it hard to fill crucial positions.
This staffing shortage has led to longer wait times and service problems, causing customer dissatisfaction. Pat’s Pizza has been trying to meet the high demand of the busy summer season but decided they needed a new approach.
In a recent Facebook post, the restaurant announced plans to close on Mondays starting the 12th. During this time, they will upgrade their kitchen equipment and conduct staff training. They aim to reopen with a refined, more compact menu by Labor Day to improve customer service.
Supporters expressed their understanding and encouragement in the comments.
One person shared their experience, saying, “We ordered 3 pizzas online yesterday, and only 1 was made when we arrived. We were irritated but assumed staffing issues were the cause. It’s good to see you’re working on this. We’ll be back.”
Another commenter wrote, “Good for you guys admitting you’ve fallen short of your goals. Hope you can get things back on track quickly.”
A third person added, “Count your blessings, everyone—I’d rather have an OK-at-best Pat’s than no Pat’s.”