Papa Johns Pizza — Restaurant in Lakewood

Please don't ever do business with this pizza joint. I routinely order a pizza several times a month from places like Angelo's, Marco's, and Pizza Hut, and they have no problem making deliveries successfully on time. When I ordered one pizza from Papa John's in Lakewood, it took an hour for them to make an attempt to deliver it to me. They called once, I didn't have my phone right next to me so I missed it. They made no attempt to enter the building, or use the call system to ring my apartment. They just left. After 75 minutes I called the store and explained the situation, they said "we'll have the deliverer come back to you with the pizza you already paid for". I went to the front lobby, stood in front of the main door, and waited 45 minutes. I saw at least two cars pull up and park, no one exited the vehicle. Once I realized no one was coming, I called the store again, The manager, Jill, said "my delivery guy came back and called your phone to make the delivery" I had my phone on me the whole time, I even called the store from the same number. No one came to the front door, no one made an honest attempt to do their job. I was standing in clear view waiting for this "delivery person". Jill, the manager, tells me, "it's too long of a drive to come back and give you the pizza you already paid for". Basically telling me, the customer, I'm not worth the effort. As a result, I tell her to cancel the order, refund me, and I'll never buy another thing from Papa John's pizza. You should...

So I called this store to place my order. It took about 5 minutes for someone to answer, which I figured they were busy, no big deal, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. The guy who answered seriously sounded like I just woke him up. He was obviously high as a kite and slurring his words. I said that I wanted to place an order for delivery. He yawned, and asked “You payin’ by cash or credit card?”. I said “card”. He yawned again and said “Oh, our card system is down”. I said that’s not a problem, I can pay cash. To which he replied “Oh, well we ain’t taking delivery orders. My driver don’t come in till 4”. Why on Earth he didn’t say that right away? I couldn’t tell you. I then tried to order from the next location (2.3 miles away, not exactly a long haul and at 3pm, not exactly rush hour), but they said that they can’t deliver to where I am because it’s in the other stores area. Even after I explained that the other store was not taking orders, and offered to give the driver a large tip, their manager said no. Probably the worst customer service I have ever had. That’s the last time I try to order from...

Ironically this store is celebrating new management, but it was a horrendous first impression. Ordered online, pizza was ready in 10 minutes. Arrived at the store,and waited 20 more minutes just for someone to make eye contact with me so I could take my already paid pizza home with me. The online order form confirmed it was ready, I could see the box with my name on it, and yet could not get it because all of the five employees were avoiding the customers in the store.

It’s mind boggling to think that a store wouldn’t want to just hand someone their purchased product so they don’t have to keep avoiding eye contact awkwardly. It was almost as if customers were a nuisance, which seems counterintuitive for a business designed to serve customers. The shop was definitely slammed with orders, but the avoidance of queueing customers only compounds the employees own stress. There were at least four other people waiting with me. It was such an odd way to deal with the pressure of a busy order night.

There are plenty of other pizza options around. Save yourself the...