The Pizza Hut stations on campus, which were originally scheduled to open last fall, have been delayed.
On the Edinburg campus, the pizza station was set to replace Slice of Life in the Student Union. On the Brownsville campus, it was arranged to be next to the Subconnection station in the Student Union’s El Comedor.
Robert Cantu, executive director of UTRGV’s Business Auxiliary Services, said the delay was mainly due to prolonged contract negotiations with Pizza Hut that were eventually settled. The complete remodeling of the area on the Edinburg campus also played a role in its postponement.
“We had to provide everything by their exact specifications, down to the actual pans that were going to be used to bake the pizzas in,” Cantu said.
With negotiations and construction completed, officials are now waiting on restaurant equipment to come in to be assembled and organized.
Asked if there is a set date for the opening, Cantu replied, “Unfortunately, no, but once we get a firm timeline, we’ll probably have a two-week marketing plan set up to let everyone know.”
Clarissa Morales, a biology junior, believes that despite the delayed opening, Pizza Hut will be popular.
“It was kind of a surprise because I didn’t think it was going to be that difficult since they replaced that Slice of Life and it was already a pizza place,” Morales said about the delay. “I thought it was going to be like just renaming it.”
Cantu said he was thankful to everyone involved in the process of getting the pizza concession.
“The planning, the construction and, hopefully, the opening very soon of the Pizza Hut has been a long process,” Cantu said. “And we’re doing our very best to ensure we provide students with the food choices that they want.”
