Out of the oven

Osceola was close to losing its piping-hot, fresh pizza place.

NPC International, a company that owns and operates 1200-plus stores in the U.S., were scheduled to close Osceola’s Pizza Hut restaurant Oct. 14.

One day later, the restaurant was purchased by Pizza Hut franchisees Joe and Jill Comes, who own the West Des Moines-based Comes Investments Inc.

“They made a decision to walk away from this market and we know we could make a go of it by investing in the building and existing people,” said Joe Comes. “We have the ability to be much more hands on.”

The couple currently owns 16 stores with 13 in Iowa and three in South Dakota. The family-owned company has been working with Pizza Huts since 1971.

They acquired the Creston store earlier this summer.

“I grew up playing in the construction dirt of many of our stores we still have today,” Comes said.

What’s to come?

Comes and his wife stepped in at the last minute to save Osceola Pizza Hut and the employees’ jobs earlier this fall. With the new owners, this means new things are in store for the restaurant.

“Traditionally, we like to close it first, do the remodel, but timing did not allow since we made the deal literally one day before it closed. so we had to order new furnishings,” Comes said.

Around Dec. 22, there will be new carpet, booths, tables and chairs coming. The decision was also made to add three TV’s, changed decor a little bit, have pictures of local athletes and personalizes the store more.

This spring, there will be exterior work done to the building, as well. It was in the plans to be done sooner, but winter weather came earlier than expected.

Food options

Another major plan is to add Wingstreet (chicken wings) in mid-January.

“We’ll need to line up a few contractors,” Comes said. “It’s a small store, so we have to be creative. We also have a new faster oven coming in the spring.”

Comes discussed some menu changes with the new ownership of the store. They have brought back the P’Zone (calzone) and will have sandwiches and dessert pizzas. He said, once Wingstreet is implemented, there will be many menu changes.

As for eating during the day time, it is $5 for lunch buffet.

“I believe people will find the employees better represented and most accommodating,” Comes said. “We want team members who are passionate about pizza.”

Delivery

With the new owners, Osceola Pizza Hut will be able to offer delivery now, where before they did not. Comes said they furnish their team members with cars to deliver. This allows team members to be safer and present a better image in the vehicles.

Comes said delivery drivers have the opportunity to make excellent tips now that the local franchise delivers and provides the cars. There is no expense to the drivers.

“My wife and I literally have pizza sauce in our veins and we come to work everyday having the luxury of loving what we do,” Comes said.