Three pizza restaurants are looking to open up new locations on Guam starting as soon as the second week of September. The three restaurants are the Boston Pizza Co. Pizza Hut and Noble Roman’s Pizza. Boston Pizza Pizza Hut and Noble Roman’s all have existing restaurants open but the Noble Roman’s pizza is available only to those who have access to Naval Base Guam.
Robert McLaughlin president of Eagle Enterprises Inc. which does business as Boston Pizza; told the Journal that the new restaurant would be located in the Century Plaza in Tamuning. "It’s a franchise. I franchised it to Gordon Chu general manager and vice president of Unity Development Corp. The preparation quality and the training will be done by us. He’ll be purchasing the raw dough balls from us because we make the dough. The dough mixing machines cost about $8 000 and that’s a big investment so it’s much easier for us to maintain the quality and the standard of the pizza so there is no variation."
McLaughlin said that Chu copied the Boston Pizza shop located at the Fountain Plaza in Tumon. The new location is identical to the Century Plaza location. "His construction people came over and took measurements and of course I collaborated with him "" with what he needs and what is required to open up a pizza shop. He did all the ordering. There were a couple of items that he could not get locally so I had to get them from the East Coast "" Boston."
Renovations began in July. Chu said that renovations were complete and all he needed was the business license and health permits and he would be able to open for business. He hopes to have those by Sept. 8.
Approximately $50 000 was invested into getting the restaurant open for business. It is about 900 square feet. There is no seating inside the restaurant but Chu said the customers would be able to use the existing seats located just outside.
Chu said "I chose Boston Pizza because it is a good combination with bowling. People can expect the best pizza on Guam. I tried it and I liked it that’s why I spoke with Bob about getting the restaurant."
The new restaurant will be the third Boston Pizza location on Guam. McLaughlin said he is currently negotiating a fourth location on Naval Base Guam. "It looks like it’s more positive than it is negative." He said he received communiqués indicating that he would be opening a Boston Pizza on-base. If negotiations are successful it will be located at the Navy Exchange. He said he would know by the end of August if he would be able to open up a Boston Pizza on base.
Pizza Hut will open its new location in early October in Dededo next to American Grocery in the old Diamand Auto location. Wayne D. Lariosa area general manager for Pizza Hut of Guam Inc. and TB Guam Inc. said that Pizza Hut would move its Dededo restaurant from its current location to Diamond Auto right across the street.
It will be about 3 600 square feet and will be able to seat 60 to 65 guests. Lariosa said that unlike the old Dededo location which catered to delivery and take out only the new restaurant would be full service with a dining area.
"For many years we’ve wanted a larger space. This space became available and we pursued it " Lariosa said.
Renovations include the construction of a new kitchen and dining room. The new restaurant will not have the typical paint scheme or décor like the other Pizza Hut locations. He said "It will not be the typical set up. It will use different colors and designs. There will be no dark colors. Everything will be light and there will be a feeling of openness."
Lariosa would not say how much would be invested into the new restaurant.
Another pizza restaurant set to open is Noble Roman’s. Ron Moroni attorney at the law office of Tarpley & Moroni LLP and franchisee for Noble Roman’s Pizza; told the Journal that the restaurant would be located in the Central Plaza building along Fujita Road in Tumon. Renovations to the restaurant’s location will begin late August and it is scheduled for a Nov. 1 opening.
Moroni said he had no affiliation with the Noble Roman’s located at the Navy Exchange.
The restaurant will be 2 400 square feet will have about 15 employees and will be able to seat about 84 people. It will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Noble Roman’s will be a full service pizza place with sit down takeout and delivery services. "The maximum distance for deliveries will be about three miles throughout Tumon and Tamuning to ensure that the pizzas are delivered hot and fresh " Moroni said.
The initial menu for Noble Roman’s will be set by the Noble Roman’s corporate office but Moroni said that he had discussed adding local favorites to the menu and that the corporate offices were open to the idea.
Moroni said the restaurant will actually hold two different franchises one of them being Noble Roman’s and the other being Tuscano’s Italian Style Subs. Moroni said the concept of Tuscano’s would be similar to other restaurants that sell sandwiches. There will be a variety of breads meats veggetables and sauces that customers will be able to choose from. The subs will be served cold but customers will be able to toast them on a panini grill if they choose. Soups and salads will also be available.
"Noble Roman’s is a good brand. It is a new brand to Guam. If a customer tries it one time I’m confident we’ll get repeat business " Moroni said. MBJ
