A new hut for the pizza

The North Carson Street Pizza Hut will operate out of a 53-foot semi-trailer, the same promotional trailer used at the Super Bowl, for the next six weeks while the restaurant is demolished and rebuilt into a shiny new place for pizza production.

Don Benbrooks, Pizza Hut area manager, said the 3,662-square-foot Pizza Hut restaurant will be completed by July 16. The building will best its predecessor by about 1,500 square feet. Today is the last night of operation for the old 2441 N. Carson St. building.

"It'll have the same address, same phone number, same great pizza, better building," he said.

In addition to putting out an expanded line of food, the international franchise company has also rolled out new styles for its buildings. Pizza Hut operates in 84 countries and territories throughout the world, according to its Web site.

Benbrooks said the new Pizza Hut will have an expanded menu in terms of appetizers and selections and a full salad and buffet bar. He will employ about 30 percent more employees, bringing the staff to about 35. He declined to say the cost of the building and construction. The contractor is Franchise Product Services of Wichita, Kan.

Until the restaurant is finished, a small staff will be working in the "hot trailer" on carry-out and delivery orders. In addition to the three ovens in the trailer, which is one more than the restaurant, it also has a walk-in freezer, cooler and full prep area.

"This trailer travels around the U.S., going to places like the Super Bowl and the Kentucky Derby. We have it for a month."

Demolition on the building begins Friday.

"After nearly 40 years of doing business in Carson City, the customers have been really good to us. We're very excited to bring a brand-new concept to Carson City."

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.