Food & Beverage

Pizza Inn addresses buffet challenges amidst pandemic

Pizza Inn has introduced its "New Right-Way Buffet" to address heightened COVID-19-related safety concerns. (Photo: provided)

May 15, 2020

As the pizza buffet-centered, Pizza Inn, is opening its dining rooms again nationally, the brand said in a news release it has launched what it's calling its "New Right-Way Buffet." Buffet brands are particularly challenged by the restrictions and heightened standards of a pandemic-ridden world. Pizza Inn said its newly designed in-store buffet addresses customers increased concerns around cleanliness in pizza restaurants. 

"Our New Right-Way Buffet is our way of giving guests the buffet experience that they have come to love while practicing enhanced health and safety measures," Senior Director of Operations Justin Smith said in the release. "Guest feedback so far has been very positive, with many telling me they're glad we're open and able to offer them the variety and quality that they have loved for over 60 years. For those who feel more comfortable enjoying Pizza Inn at home, our Contactless Buffet To Go is still available for carryout and delivery."

The brand said Pizza Inn operations around the new buffet include the following features:

• One-way buffet traffic to enhance adherence to social distancing guidelines. 
• In some stores, team members now serve guest, cafeteria-style from the line. 
• In other locations, team members serve guests at their tables from line selections. 
• Additional sanitation stations have been added throughout the restaurant.
• Dedicated, visible "sanitizer captains" at each buffet to uphold heightened sanitation. 
• Transition of self-serve tableware and condiments to team member service. 
• Safety masks and gloves for all team members. 

Each location's salad bar will look a little different, the company said, depending on local or state regulations. Some salads will be grab-and-go, when allowed by the health department, or served at the table. Locations with fully-operational salad bars, will distribute gloves or sanitizer to diners, while utensils will be changed after each guest.

Many locations are also offering options for guests to pay from the table to limit touch-points in the restaurant. And self-serve beverage stations have been closed, with employees now bringing guests drinks at their tables. 
Pizza Inn and its sister brand, Pie Five, include more than 200 locations. The brands are operated by Rave Restaurant Group, Inc. based in Dallas.