If all goes according to plan, Emporia should have a Little Caesars pizza restaurant downtown by Oct. 1. Timothy Cory of Olathe plans to open a location in the Family Video store at 10th Avenue and Commercial Street.
It’s Cory’s second location. He opened his first, also paired with a Family Video store, in Lee’s Summit, Mo., nearly two years ago.
Little Caesars is strictly a carry-out pizza place, Cory said. There’s neither sit-down service, nor delivery. But, depending on what kind of pizza customers want, there’s also little wait.
“The way we do it, we have pizzas ready to go,” he explained. “We’ll have pepperoni or just cheese. Sometimes we have others like supreme or three-meat.
“People don’t even have to call. They just walk in and say they want two pepperoni pizzas, and they’re in and out in 30 seconds.”
And if they pick up some DVDs at Family Video, they’re ready for an easy night at home.
The new store will have a separate entrance from the video store and will operate its own hours, Cory said. At the Lee’s Summit store, he said, the restaurant opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. weeknights and 11 p.m. weekends.
“It depends on the area we’re in,” he said about the closing time.
Cory decided to open a franchise after spending 17 years working for Little Caesars’ corporate office.
“I worked with a lot of franchisees,” he said. “My job was to teach them how to run the business.”
That job had him traveling constantly, he said, often headed from the Kansas City area to Wichita or Oklahoma City.
“I actually always stopped in Emporia,” he said. “It was exactly halfway between Kansas City and Wichita.”
He’d often thought that Emporia would be a good place for a Little Caesars restaurant, he said.
“Just looking at the demographics, the college there, it seemed like a good fit,” he said. “This opportunity with Family Video, also, is usually a good marriage.”
Cory plans to continue to base his operations in Olathe. He said the Emporia store will be staffed with local employees, but it will be managed by a manager from the Lee’s Summit store for probably a year.
He said he’s looking forward to getting the store open and becoming involved in the community. He plans to join the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Emporia Main Street.
“We do a lot of involvement in the community,” he explained. “We get involved with the schools and sponsorships.”
dominga (anonymous) says...
Like we need another pizza place! when is this town ever going to get some variety! I guess at least it ain't going in next door to pizza hut and pizza ranch!
June 19, 2010 at 6:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Oh good grief, the ubiquitous pizza joint in Emporia!!! This is insane. That Family Video place is big enough to offer something more than another pizza place.
June 21, 2010 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eaglefan (anonymous) says...
I think the city establishment needs to get their act together. We are going all "nuts" over a business coming to town that will employ college age and high schoolers, probably a lot of them part-time. Don't get me wrong there is a need for this type employment. Also, the idea is good, pizza and movies, all in one stop.
That being said, our city leadership needs to get off their duff and work to keep businesses like Fanestils from leaving our community. Those are the folks that spend long term here in Emporia. Just my opinion, but in the balance of things, up to 80 solid full-time jobs out weighs a few full-time and part-time jobs at pizza place.
June 21, 2010 at 8:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Pizza pizza.
June 21, 2010 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
christym123 (anonymous) says...
Seriously?
June 21, 2010 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
My kids use "little caesars" to cut pictures out of magazines and such.
Welcome, Little Caesars. Variety is the spice of life.
'enry
June 21, 2010 at 1:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
christym123 (anonymous) says...
"Seriously? "
Yeeesss?
Seriously
June 21, 2010 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
christym123 (anonymous) says...
You funny guy.
June 21, 2010 at 6:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StrongCityCitizen (anonymous) says...
I think this is exactly what this city needs, more pizza. Now if someone would just open a Mexican restaurant.
June 21, 2010 at 10:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
StrongCityCitizen (anonymous) says...
Or Asian food, where in the world do you get Asian food?
June 21, 2010 at 11:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
StrongCityCitizen,
Don't forget Burgers, Steaks, BBQ, Pancakes, Sushi, Sandwiches... Hmmm, now that you mention it, we do have quite a lot of variety!
And if you think all pizza are the same, I feel sad for you.
'enry
June 21, 2010 at 11:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
http://www.emporiagazette.com/news/20...
Hmm where can one get Asian food? Hmm?
You're right 'enry, we actually do have quite a variety of restaurants for a town this size. You are also right about not all pizzas being the same. If some one thinks they are going to get the same pizza from Wheat State that they get from Pizza Hut or Gambino's they have no taste buds, or eyes, or fingers, or ... well ... brain. I enjoy pretty much all our pizza places for different reasons. I've never tried Little Caesar's but I have enjoyed their television commercials in the past so I look forward to trying it.
'eriously
June 22, 2010 at 10:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
HenryVIII (anonymous) says...
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=restaur...
I forgot chicken! Lots o' fried chicken and wings choices. No need to go to Olpe for that! Only thing we don't have (anymore) is a dedicated pasta joint, but you can get some pasta at a few sub sandwich shops, pizza places, and places like Applebees.
'enry
June 22, 2010 at 10:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
esugrad_03 (anonymous) says...
How many other pizza places in town offer $5 large pizzas with zero wait time?
June 22, 2010 at 12:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
some people on here would gripe if someone sprayed them with water, when their clothes were on fire, cause it wasn't Perrier. wake the F*** up people. business is business, we can't afford to be picky. If they wanna come to town, get the hell out of the way, and let them. oh, and little ceasers isn't asking for any tiff's or tdd's they are coming on their own merits. if you don't like pizza, you don't have to eat it. if you want an olive garden, or johnny carrino's, them buy a franchise, and open it up. or quit your whining. oh, what? The franchise rights to Emporia have already been purchased? (they have, i called to check) that means that someone with more money than all of us, and experience in the market, has reviewed all the info, and doesn't think they can make any money. And the kind of people who own these franchises, would build in a minute, if they thought they could make even $10 in a year, after every expense. we just can't support it. be gratefull for the variety we have, and move on. bunch of sissy cry baby's around here.
June 25, 2010 at 4:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
joec...how right you are!
Edward McKernan
June 25, 2010 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
So, by your logic, if they want to open up more pay day loan places, that would be okay too.
Give me a break.
Just remember, there is only so much money to go around and if people want to spread it around among all the pizza joints, so be it. Less money for everybody. Who cares.
June 25, 2010 at 8:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
eucharistandcannabis (anonymous) says...
Another franchise. Yum.
June 25, 2010 at 8:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
create...
What's your stake in this? "there is only so much money to go around" do you own a restaurant? Is another pizza option taking money out of your pocket?
your line of thinking is exactly the problem with todays economy. Since when is it the reponsibility of the government to dictate what a free market will support. it all comes down to supply and demand. They can't sell it if nobody wants to buy it. As for the other pizza places in town, if they do actually suffer lost revenues, then the free market economy allows them the opportunity to regain their market share. Make a better product, and you'll make more money. If a business can't provide a good enough good or service, to be supported by a customer base, then it will, and should go away, to make room for someone who can. The IRS has a term for businesses that operate at a loss "Expensive Hobby" people want what they want, and will give their hard earned dollars to those they feel offer them the best product or service. it's just that simple. and i think payday loan places are bad, and people who use them can be sucked into a cycle of revolving debt easily. the government has instituted regulations on these businesses, requiring them to clearly spell out all the details up front. Those who use these establishments have every opportunity to make an informed decision. If they make poor choices, the consequences do and rightly so rest with them. like it or not, they do provide a service, which according to their popularity is in demand from consumers. You can't legislate common sense or morality. people are free to make their own choices, and meet their own rewards, as it should be.
once again, who is "another pizza place", "another franchise", "another place that employs college kids", etc. hurting? NOT me, NOT you!
The only real hope for our economy is to make our fat pale skinned kids turn off the playstation and go outside, to learn to interact with and respect others. While we're at it, let's teach them about proper nutrition, personal finance, HYGEINE, and accountability. Real change is not a sound byte, it is responsible parenting. It starts at home.
June 25, 2010 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Whoa, dude. Take your frustrations about "fat pale-skinned kids" and their irresponsible parents out on me why dontcha.
This wasn't about pizza at all. Jeez! You just needed a platform so you built it on my shoulders! Pfffffft!
Besides, those "fat pale-skinned kids" are supporting an economy of their own -- the tech economy.
So to use your logic here, it's a free market system and if people want to buy their kids video games and other tech crap, then it's their dollar and it's not up to you to insist they learn about healthy eating habits. What are you, some kind of organic farmer?
June 26, 2010 at 8:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
joecitizen (anonymous) says...
just applying your thought processess to things.
you should take a basic economics class. maybe the city government, and emporia mainstreet folks could take it with you.
June 26, 2010 at 1:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
whoa, ther you go again ,all them negative "VIBES", come on lets get behind a plan as a community and build something here.E_Town needs a goal to reach for , without direction and purpose we will ,well be adrift in a sea of malaise.
June 26, 2010 at 2:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Are we voting on the econ dev sales tax again in aug?? Hmmmm I wonder how tight the wording will be on where the money will be allocated. How about a community goal of increasing ESU enrollment .Now thats an industry with great rewards for EMPORIA.
June 26, 2010 at 2:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I agree with increasing ESU enrollment, sail, How do you suggest we do that as a community?
One thing we've been doing is trying to improve housing so students will have better and safer choices. What a firestorm that created.
I remember one argument being that students needed and wanted junk housing because it was cheap. Yet, when the brand new ones opened up on Merchant up on the Bypass, that place filled up immediately -- with students.
As I said, I'm willing to get behind a good idea to increase ESU enrollment. But let's not forget, we also need real jobs for family men and women to depend on; we need industry that will help pick up the property tax tab. Pizza places don't do a very good job of doing that.
June 27, 2010 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Emporia should look to the future. National trends favor medical marijuana. Someone will need to supply it. A college or university will need to train the botanists. If ESU offered a major in medical marijuana botany and the Emporia area hired medical marijuana botanists to develop and clone the best strains, the masses who work in the huge greenhouses will order lots of pizza and Dolly Madison will sell lots of zingers and ho ho's and all the fast food places will be really busy too. Just think of the possibilities!
June 27, 2010 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Create,the 1/2 cent sales tax brings in millions .It should go for econ growth, not property tax relief . RDA and ESU and THE city should have a 5 pannel committe to decide how to attract and retain students with the econ tax.Communities all across America will sell their souls to obtain what we have a t ESU. We as a community need to ensure that ESU is viable and strong for our future as a choice place to work and call home.Lawrence an Manhatton both obtain great wealth from the students in their communities.Emporia needs the balance that another 3000 students would bring to our community.
June 27, 2010 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Boy, the desire and drive to be just like some other City has become an obsession .
Here is the problem. Some basically say, to hell with property tax relief . Lets spend, spend, spend/ tax, tax, tax .
Well here is a hypothetical scenario for you who want to spend, spend, spend/tax, tax, tax. What happens when your spending and taxing beyond what the taxpayers can afford and has driven the majority of the property owners, who pay property taxes to the point of either bankruptcy, forclosure or moving out of Emporia and the property tax revenue plummets even more ?
Will the additional college students, who don' t own property nor pay property taxes be able to sustain themselves and all the taxing and spending ?
People the only answer to the economic woes' of Emporia, the U.S., State and county is a sensible balance between taxpayers, jobs and above all not spending more than the City takes in as revenues from taxes, etc., and decreasing the burden on taxpayers not increasing the taxpayer burden . There needs to be a halt to the same old " STANDARD OPERATING PROCEEDURE " and the sooner the better .
June 27, 2010 at 11:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Is there anyone in Emporia, besides myself, that is getting fed up with paying ever increasing or extended taxes just so those who desire to have what they/we cannot afford ?
I am so sick of seeing and hearing about what others have, have done or are doing and that Emporia should be like them, no matter the cost, taxpayer tax burden or hardship that may be placed on the citizens of Emporia , because of a stupid obsession of wanting to be like someone else .
June 27, 2010 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Just imagine, a medical marijuana that smells like sweet basil and tastes like a J's burger. It could happen if a botanist could get the training from our college town.
June 27, 2010 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
College students love $5 pizzas within walking distance. I'm just sayin.'
June 27, 2010 at 1:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
College students love Top Ramen Noodles! A six pack only costs $1.69 and they are very delicious and nutritious. Easy to make too.
June 27, 2010 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Thanks for the info sail. I understand the half cent sales tax deal. And of course it should go to economic building and not property tax relief. Big industry does that.
Now we need to find more students.
Ah yes, Top Ramen noodles. Full of MSG.
June 27, 2010 at 5:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Methusala, I agree property taxs have become like RENT PAYMENT, if we dont pay our rent payment we get kicked out of our property. The econ tax is not a new tax, im just proposing that ESU should be considered as econ dev.The growth of private spending would be huge with the increase of 3000 college students.
June 28, 2010 at 8:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sail,
The econ tax is used to bring a company with well paid employees into town, or employee those living in town.
It along with tax abatements bring a business into town that not only employee people , but will eventually pay property taxes. The university does not pay property tax. If ESU want's more students perhaps dropping the cost of the education would work?
Instead of giving our government more money in taxes, perhaps they should learn to budget what they have. They did learn how to count in college didn't they.
Enough is Enough,
I'm voting no tax in August and urge others to do the same.
June 28, 2010 at 11:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Steve , if we give corp welfare to industry to locate in Emporia to improve our wealth as a community, why wouldnt increasing ESU ENROLLMENT be a good deal for Emporia. Each student would add THOUSANDS OF $ to our economy.Rental property would improve, more teachers and supporting staff would be added. Given a choice between increased enrollment or having Tyson reopen the slaughter , give me more students.
June 28, 2010 at 12:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And pizza and a movie in 1 location is a GREAT idea!
June 28, 2010 at 12:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
I'm all for increasing enrollment at ESU.
Although now a days It seems to me that A vocational field of training, at the v-tech school would lead to better paying job prospects in this economy. I am also against corp welfare, as you put it. Some town somewhere decided to offer $ and tax abatements and then every town decided it was a necessity to offer more and more. You did notice I said well paid jobs, not $9.99 and hour slaughter wages.
June 28, 2010 at 12:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )