West Seattle lines up for Papa John's, to help officers' families

kathleen December 8, 2009 (6:12 pm)

You can order online. I was thare at 4:15 and had to wait 45 minutes for my pizza, the wait was 60 to 90 minutes by the time my pizza was ready. The pizza is pretty good.

wsmom December 8, 2009 (6:31 pm)

I guess I should have figured that Papa Johns would be pretty swamped. Tomorrow I’ll order early and be prepared (cause Jack, my son, told me to).

Thanks to Papa John’s for helping the families of our heros.

MargL December 8, 2009 (6:35 pm)

Got ahold of Corporate customer service – they are unable to contact the store either and really have no idea how long the pizzas will take. Minimum of two hours for delivery in the Seattle area is what they’re saying.
Mmmm cold pizza for breakfast!

CB December 8, 2009 (6:47 pm)

I wish Papa John’s community responsibility extended to their drivers who have no regard for residential speed limits.

DRG December 8, 2009 (6:51 pm)

Tried placing an online order a minute ago and it looks like they’re not accepting online orders at moment. I’ll hold out for a few hours and see if things calm down enough that they start accepting orders again.

Jenmommy23 December 8, 2009 (7:01 pm)

Bummer – you’d think they would try to prepare for the crowds if they are making such an offer. I ordered my pizza online early this afternoon and scheduled a 6pm delivery. We’re still waiting for the pizza and there’s no checking on it. The local # is busy & corporate # had hold time of 20+ minutes. It’s certainly a generous offer and therefore we’re trying to be patient, but it’s unfortunate that they didn’t foresee such a situation. We’re hungry!

Carrie Ann December 8, 2009 (7:01 pm)

I was tempted to place an order earlier this afternoon, but wasn’t sure if you could select a delivery time that far in advance. Now I’m wishing I had, because I finally got through on the phone, after getting a busy signal for 30-45minutes, only to be told they were not accepting any online or phone orders for the rest of the night due to the incredible amount of people who already placed orders. Gonna have to break the news to the other 5 members of the household and try earlier tomorrow.

star55 December 8, 2009 (7:12 pm)

Having brothers in law enforcement they thank all of you for your support and so do I.

Valvashon December 8, 2009 (7:15 pm)

I ordered and paid online at 2:30. After waiting in line for from 5:45 to 6:30, staff came out to inform those waiting in line that no new orders could be accommodated because they were out of product – only having enough left to fulfill existing orders. They then started (with the help of one of the customers) comparing a list of people waiting with a list of pizzas that were ready. Though it was 45 minutes past my pick up time, ours wasn’t ready so we left to get home in time to eat and still get my son to bed on time. We’ll try again tomorrow and order/pick up early in the day. Sad to say the staff was completely unprepared for the volume of business, and the staff person sent to deal with the line didn’t know how to deal with a large crowd. It’s a great cause so it’s worth trying again.

Personthatisreallyannoyedatpapajohns December 8, 2009 (7:24 pm)

I should have read these comments before ordering from Papa Johns. I know they’re supporting the officers and I support that %100, but 2 hours is a long time to wait for generic pizza. I support the cause and I love it, but I would sooner donate $20 to a cherity for the officers and order from Dominoes.

Brian December 8, 2009 (7:31 pm)

CB… congrats on the moronic statement of the night.

D.A. December 8, 2009 (7:32 pm)

Yep – As appreciative as I am for their generosity, I think with an offer such as this, they would have planned a little better for it. I placed my order online at 5pm. It’s 7.30 and I still haven’t rec’d my order. I, too, tried called the store (busy signal) as well as the corp line which told me the wait would be 30 mins. Oye!

Kristina December 8, 2009 (7:41 pm)

My husband came home sans the pizza we ordered at 5:30ish – the place is a zoo and they couldn’t get it together. I am not going to complain. I don’t think anyone could have predicted the crowds, and the workers were doing their best. I hope to get a pizza out of it, but a donation to the Lakewood officers’ families was the real goal. (And, um, we ordered Pagliacci now….it’ll be here any minute!)

Darren December 8, 2009 (8:34 pm)

This is for a great cause. Quit complaining people!!!!!!!

M December 8, 2009 (8:41 pm)

Tried to get on the phone and drove by but couldn’t wait for the crowd as I had hungry boys at home. Went to Pegasus they were DEAD so I ordered there. Mmmmm

Stevie B December 8, 2009 (8:42 pm)

I ordered online at 5:54 and was given a delivery window of 81-91 minutes. It’s almost 3 hours and I have no idea if I’ll get the ordered pizza. It’s my son’s bedtime now so I can’t run over and check on it. Mega bummer and now have to find new dinner. For as proud as I am of the company for this benefit, there was poor planning on their part.

Bob Loblaw December 8, 2009 (8:43 pm)

Just entered hour number four waiting after placing an online order. Almost bedtime. Hope there’s no knock at the door at midnight.

Good cause. Poor preparation. We live and learn. Still worth it, though.

Jaye December 8, 2009 (8:45 pm)

Ordered online at 5:49 and still waiting.. Hopefully we get a pizza or a call to say we won’t be :x

WSB December 8, 2009 (8:53 pm)

FWIW, via Twitter, Ivar’s points out “we still have chowder.” 100 percent of the price goes to the officers’ families. If anybody’s up for a drive to the waterfront, the Seafood Bar there is open fairly late – not sure if 10 or 11 or later this time of year, but you can call ’em at (206) 467-8063. Probably slightly closer than the one in Burien. And one more time, I’ll pitch for the Merrill Gardens pasta dinner tomorrow night, Fairmount or Admiral locations, $10 donation all goes to the officers’ families – TR

Irukandji December 8, 2009 (9:00 pm)

Ordered Pagliacci. Donated to officers’ fund directly. Win win.

sam December 8, 2009 (9:02 pm)

knowing Seattle, I thought there would be an overwhelming outpouring of support- it’s amazing to see and to live in a community like this. I was thinking about ordering tomorrow night or going to merrill gardens, but it seems like it would be easier to donate all of the money straight to the families directly.

# Columbia Bank: “Lakewood Police Benevolent Fund”

# The Lakewood Police Independent Guild

good luck on getting dinner

curlyq December 8, 2009 (9:33 pm)

Your photo of the line at Papa John’s warms my heart (though I’m sure the folks in line were freezing!). I love West Seattle even more for this, for all the good will pouring out of this tragedy. Gives me hope. I hope it gives the families of the fallen a sense that they’re not alone in their loss.

Jaye December 8, 2009 (9:36 pm)

Update: my husband just went down there to pick it up… they’d lost OUR pizza but gave us one of the many luke warm, unclaimed pizzas. Generous idea on their part, but looking back I wish I’d just donated directly to the fund. He says they’re trying their hardest down there, it’s been a madhouse all night.

th December 8, 2009 (9:50 pm)

Pizza – two hours late. I don’t care. I am sure they tried their hardest and the offer from the company was most generous.

Stevie B December 8, 2009 (10:15 pm)

I finally got a call at 10:05 asking if I still wanted my pizza. I told them thanks, but it was too late. I’m not sure or not if they actually baked it or not.

Bummer.

AC December 8, 2009 (10:20 pm)

I did an online order at 6pm and was given and estimated 85-95 min. I waited two hours then headed down to their W Sea location since you could not get through on the phones. At almost 3 hours later they still had 40 orders in front of mine. They had no idea when it would get delivered. They had plenty of orders ready for delivery but no one really running the show. There were mulipledeliver cars in the parking lot but no one seemed to be leaving. I think it was great of Pappa John’s to take on this fundraiser, I just wish they were better organized and had a plan in place to handle the large volume. 4 hours later….still waiting. I would recommend that if you plan to order tomorrow, the earlier you order the better.

mariah December 8, 2009 (10:33 pm)

Maybe it would be better to give your donations straight to the families. There can’t be that much profit and your money would benefit the families more.

rob December 9, 2009 (7:38 am)

It would be more appropriate for papa johns to donate to the families of fallen soldiers. This is just a marketing ploy for Ivars and Papa Johns. When will the families have enough money? The Brenton family requested that people stop sending money to them after Officer Brenton was killed Oct 31.

I feel sorry for the families, but 8 hours of tv memorial, and everyone asking for donations, kind of makes me sick. What about all the soldiers that have died or been deformed from war? There is no real fund set up for their sacrifice!

jesus December 9, 2009 (7:41 am)

It would be more appropriate for papa johns to donate to the families of fallen soldiers. This is just a marketing ploy for Ivars and Papa Johns. When will the families have enough money? The Brenton family requested that people stop sending money to them after Officer Brenton was killed Oct 31.

I feel sorry for the families, but 8 hours of tv memorial, and everyone asking for donations, kind of makes me sick. What about all the soldiers that have died or been deformed from war? There is no real fund set up for their sacrifice!

Bogie December 9, 2009 (8:09 am)

We ordered online last night around 5:45 and were given a wait time of 66-76 minutes. Delievery driver showed up at almost 9. Our pizza had the thinest crust ever (didn’t order thin crust)and our chicken strips turned into chicken wings. But we were just happy to be able to participate. Any other time, I would be mad, but we expected the extra long wait times and appreciated what they were doing for the community.

The driver told us they normaly do 150 deliveries in a night and they were at over 800. They were running out of everything. He also told us the Lakewood branch shut it’s doors at 5 p.m. A friend waited for three hours at lunchtime at the Ballard location.

Thanks Papa Johns and all the staff for working so hard and doing your best in an extrodinary situation! There is only so much you can do with the equipment and resources you have :)

WSHC December 9, 2009 (8:37 am)

Boycott Papa Johns. Their pies are synthetic and their drivers, as CB said, have no regard for neighbors or driving laws. If you want to donate to the officer fund do it directly or buy some Ivars clam chowder (a local business, unlike Papa Johns), all the proceeds go to the fund. BOYCOTT PAPA JOHN’S.

John December 9, 2009 (8:52 am)

I’m getting tired of the whole thing…..

bsmomma December 9, 2009 (8:54 am)

I don’t want to complain. This was for a great cause. That’s why I attempted to participate. Placed an order on line in the afternoon for a 6pm pick up. It would have been appreciated if maybe there was 2 lines, atleast. I hate that I went in feeling great that I was doing something good and getting a special treat for the fam but ended up walking away 2 hours later (an hour after my p/u time) with no treats for the fam and being a little pissed and freezing. I’m sure that they raised ALOT of money for the officers families and I am greatful for Papa Johns doing what they’re doing.

c December 9, 2009 (10:20 am)

I ordered mine by phone at 4:30. I was told it was 1hr for pickup and 4hrs for delivery. I stood in line and got to the front at 5:30 just as my pizza came up. They were working their buns off and had a lot of staff.

I had wonderful conversations with people in line about the memorial and the tragedy of it all. It was great to see the community coming together.

Thank you Papa Johns.

busser December 9, 2009 (11:03 am)

I will own the naysaying here – as someone else deftly pointed out, here or otherwise: it is a marketing ploy, as ‘the profits’ will be donated, not ‘all proceeds’; I would bet a hefty donation to the support fund that we *never* hear how much was actually donated from PJ’s.

I concur with the folks here that are in favor of donating directly. Leave the warmnfuzzy PR-spin out of it.
Blecch.

Joe R December 9, 2009 (11:45 am)

I am a delivery driver for PJ (2nd job) and they obviously had no clue how much business they would have on their hands as a result of their offer. We had a staff that could handle a busy Friday with 4x the business and quite frankly not the appropriate space to handle that much business.

From looking at the computer last night they were able to raise a few thousand dollars (I’m guessing, I have no idea what the food costs, etc are and how many people will call in today for a refund?) and if you multiple that by 41 stores they raised a good amount of money even with the chaos.

I have attempted to tell them the only way to handle that type of volume would be to only offer a single topping pizza and no sides. With everyone ordering something special and then the store not having the capacity to keep the pizza’s fresh or to coordinate the volume it just cannot work – It’s a mathematically impossible. And unforunately they end up serving less people due to the chaos.

It’ll be interesting to see what we are up against tonight and how management has prepped for it.

Thanks to everyone for their support and understanding. I hope everyone does give the people that work there a break. Most of the inside staff are teens in highschool, most drivers are college students or people with families that have 2nd jobs which is typical for a pizza job. Most of the mangers work 70 hours and maybe get 35-45k a year.

Carrie Ann December 9, 2009 (1:27 pm)

Joe R. – I was just coming to comment that I think it would’ve been a better idea to offer up, ie. “A large pepperoni pizza” with ALL proceeds from the sale of that going to the fund. That way they could’ve made a bunch of them ahead of time, made sure they had enough ingredients to do so, and it wouldn’t have been such an issue with trying to custom make all these orders. Overall, I do still feel their hearts (as well as those who ordered from them) were in the right place here. Hope the delivery drivers who were doing their best were cut some slack, too, and given some nice tips for the holidays.

JenV December 9, 2009 (1:57 pm)

I hate to break it to all you “pizza drivers are speeders” folks, but if you want your pizza in 30 minutes, which so many of you do – they’re gonna have to speed. Speaking as a former delivery driver for Pizza Time…did my fair share of speeding because if you DON’T get it there in 30 minutes, people get ticked and you get in trouble.
.
I am in total agreement that Papa John’s pizza is icky, but I think it’s wonderful what they’re doing here. Way to go, Papa Johns! :D

Valvashon December 9, 2009 (3:18 pm)

FYI – They aren’t taking online orders, and the phone line is so busy you get that “the line is busy, for 75 cents…” message. I drove by the Papa John’s at California at 2:00ish and they were closed. I guess that’s the end of that promotion. I’ll make my donation another way. UPDATE: Husband just drove by and saw lights on…3:20pm

Catherine December 9, 2009 (3:55 pm)

I worked for a delivery/carry-out pizza location years ago. Looking at that line I know there is no way we would have been able to accomodate a line like that or the demand they experienced. Little del-co places like that simply don’t have enough humans on their payroll to accomodate that, let alone places to put finished product.

Sounds like it was a nice idea, PJs. I hope things run more smoothly tonight and people aren’t rude to you :)

JH December 9, 2009 (10:25 pm)

Wow, Rob and Jesus sure think alike in their posts…

South Westie December 9, 2009 (10:33 pm)

Actually, I ordered it at 5:20 and asked that the order be started at 5:50. It was ready to be picked up at 6:20, so I guess it was all about timing. Hmm.

bluebird December 9, 2009 (10:48 pm)

Wow. Whining about late pizza. These officers are never coming home to their kids again. Have some perspective.

Catherine December 9, 2009 (11:04 pm)

It’s uncanny, isn’t it, JH?

Valvashon December 10, 2009 (12:12 am)

I guess it wouldn’t be a blog if someone didn’t post to insult everyone who had posted before them. My post was made for informational purposes only, for those who may have wanted to participate in the promotion today. I stood in line with over 40 other people, families, kids, etc. and I only saw one person get irritated. In fact, there was a general sense of camaraderie among the folks waiting in line. I tried to participate, it didn’t work out, which just led me to make my donation another way. It’s not about the pizza.