LOCAL pizzerias are unconcerned about two major pizza chains circling Griffith, saying customers have proven they value quality over cost.
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Multi-national chain Pizza Hut this week announced it would expand into regional NSW and is actively seeking a franchisee for the planned Griffith store.
This follows Domino’s pizza chain’s attempt to enter the market mid-last year which has thus far proven unsuccessful with the company unable to find a desirable franchisee.
Griffith’s previous Pizza Hut franchise was forced to admit defeat and shut up shop in 2004 after a failed attempt to sell the store. But despite the chain proving unpopular once before, Pizza Hut’s head of development and supply chain Andy Massood said the company had noticed a consumer trend toward convenience and the Griffith population was its target market.
He thought the time was right to re-enter the market with a focus on takeaway convenience rather than restaurant dining.
“Local pizzerias and café-style places have room in the marketplace for the consumer who likes to pay more,” Mr Massood said.
“But from a price point of view, Pizza Hut delivers a quality consistent product for a cheaper cost.”
Local pizza expert and Mamma Rosa’s owner Fury La Grazia, who has been making pizzas since 1975, believed the multi-national chains were “trying to get into the wrong market” and would be no threat to Griffith restaurants.
“I think everyone will try it when it first comes here – or Domino’s at least because it’s a new chain,” Mr La Grazia said.
“But then they’ll all go back to the taste they’re used to.”
Mr La Grazia said Pizza Hut had proven once before it could not survive against the Italian population in Griffith and the value they placed on good quality food.
“They won’t be able to compete with everyone’s Italian recipes and their fresh produce and variety,” he said.
“People in Griffith have been educated through fresh produce and a quality standard of food, and they’re used to getting that top quality.”
Both Domino’s and Pizza Hut representatives have confirmed they will continue to seek applicants for their Griffith stores until they find one they deem successful.
“The important thing is finding the right local applicant, not opening just for the sake of opening,” Mr Massood said.
“We need to ensure that person will be successful and provide a good return on their investment.”
