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Pizza Hut will soon be opening a new restaurant on North Bechtle Avenue in Springfield.
This will be the second national chain to announce a new location on the North Bechtle Avenue corridor this fall. Taco Bell announced in September it would open a restaurant at the former site of Rudy’s Smokehouse, 1920 N. Bechtle Ave.
Contractors have already broke ground to build the new Pizza Hut at the former site of Papa Murphy’s, 1930 N. Bechtle Ave. They are aiming to have the Pizza Hut open before Thanksgiving, said Steve Speranza, President of Tolson Enterprises.
Speranza said this Pizza Hut will likely be more successful because of the high traffic flow in a high residential area. He felt the Papa Murphy’s closed in April because its was the wrong environment for the business to thrive. Murphy’s specialized in pre-made pizzas that could be baked at home.
“If you look at the area, you can get to a lot of rooftops quick, which is the whole idea with delivery pizza,” Speranza said. “With Pizza Hut being a tried-and-true brand for years, they will understand the market.”
Horton Hobbs, vice president of economic development for the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, said filling a vacant building will help the area to continue to grow.
“Bechtle Avenue is our prime location within our economy,” Hobbs said.
The restaurant is set to be a delivery and carry out only, Speranza said. Pizza Hut will join six other pizza restaurants in the same part of town.
Hobbs feels the venture will be a success.
“This area is a magnet for restaurants and shopping,” Hobbs said. “I have no doubt that Pizza Hut will do well there.”
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