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Throwback Marshmallow: Straw Hat Pizza


In summer 1959, Surfing and beaches were the craze of the time in west coast California. Across highways sat different burger and other restaurant carts, selling food through drive thru windows. However, a popular icon was about to rock California... for about 20 years. This is episode 2 of Throwback Marshmallow, on Straw Hat Pizza.

1959: Introduction

The first Straw Hat Pizza opened it's doors on July 10, 1959. It's pizza was nothing like other pizza; it has layered, flaky crust, light toppings and 6 types of cheese. It was crispier, it was fresher, and it was tastier, making the West Coast crave for more. Little did they know, it was a sensation to last decades.

1960-1969: Expansion

The first Straw Hat Pizzas were modest and normal but a good hangout spot with it's hard seating, red carpets and lively wallpapers. Along with it's menu and ice cold beer, each establishment included old time movies, horse rides, and even local bands playing there. The slogan was "People Pleasing Pizza". Nice alliteration. In 1969, they added a salad bar. By then, there were lots of locations up and down the coast of California.

1970-1984: More Expansion

In the seventies, Straw Hat Pizza introduced the Hot Hat Sandwich. Strange name, but soon, it became a hit, and to this day, became a hallmark of the franchise. As the menu expanded, so did the chain. In the late seventies, Straw Hat took on a new look with updated buildings, colors and logos. With the new look, Straw Hat was on the cutting-edge of the industry. At the time, it was one of the fasting growing restaurants in the world. To grow, Straw Hat Pizza, at the time part of the Saga Corporation, introduced a model franchising program. The company developed some of the best training, quality and cleanliness programs which were the envy of the franchise, and remain in place today. The Saga Corp also owned Howard Johnson's and A&W restaurants, two other places that are hard to find today.
A coupon.

1985-1990: Downfall

By the mid-eighties, the chain was regarded as the prominent pizza chain in the west while Pizza Hut was trying to make prominence in the area as well. Pizza Hut made a move to eliminate competition and purchasing all company-owned Straw Hat Pizzas and turning them into Pizza Huts. In reality, Straw Hat made some of the worst pizza! "California Style" pizza refers to poorly made and cheap pizza. In the 70s and 80s the company made money off of pinball and arcade machines. Pizza Hut just offers more food for the same price.

Some Straw Hat Pizzas exist to this day, but they are all privately owned. You can see if there is one around you on their website, here. Anyway, that's it and I'll see you next week.

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