Fans of The Pizza Company may notice the East McCarty staple is receiving an update inside and out.
The popular pizza spot in Jefferson City is adding a new deck for outdoor dining, set to feature ceiling fans and TVs. Owner Scott Drinkard said there had been a porch there when he took the business over, but was removed several years ago to fix a leak.
"I know a lot of times people want to sit outside, but they don't really want to sit in the direct sun," Drinkard said. "So we just did about a half of a covered patio, and then the other half is uncovered. So that's what we did, and we were throwing a couple ceiling fans in there and a TV so if they want to sit outside in the afternoons and watch Cardinals games or something."
Drinkard said the new addition could be ready for use as early as next week.
The interior is seeing a face lift as well with new carpets and paint and a downstairs area. Currently a small game room, the plan is for the area to become an overflow area for diners.
Drinkard said the renovation had been in the works for a long time but had been stalled by the pandemic.
"It takes time and money, and we were just grinding along and then COVID hits. Obviously that throws everything for a major loop," he said. "Well, we still wanted to keep proceeding through everything and get our remodeling and everything cleaned up, but we're excited about how it's turning out. It's got a really neat look now, and once we're finished, it will do really well I think."
Drinkard, who owns several businesses across the area, is also updating the point of sales systems across each location, with The Pizza Company's update taking place last week. The point of sales system is the software and hardware that enables the business to make a sale to customers at a register or online. While they used to consist of the cash register, modern POS systems are digital, an upgrade Drinkard said he was making across all of his businesses to streamline sales and modernize business operations.
"This one is just going to be a little bit more modernized, and it's going to help all our management do the best they can with keeping everything current," he said. "The biggest issue in today's industry is labor. So anything we can do to help our staff give them all the tools they need to make their job easier and more efficient, that's what I want to do and provide for them."
The Pizza Company is located at 1508 E. McCarty. It is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fridays and 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturdays.
Know of any business happenings around Jefferson City? Let us know at [email protected] or 573-761-0243.
The new Toast point-of-sale (POS) system, as seen Thursday at The Pizza Company on East McCarty Street. (Julie Smith/News Tribune)
Renovations are seen being made Thursday at The Pizza Company on East McCarty Street. (Julie Smith/News Tribune)