Pizza Hut issues statement after Tuesday tornado damages Portage location

PORTAGE, Mich. — Joyce Lunsford, owner of the Southwest Michigan-based Trigo Hospitality, issued the following statement in the wake of the devastating storms that swept the area Tuesday:

“We are so thankful that our team members of the Portage Pizza Hut are safe following last night’s harrowing experience. We are beyond grateful that Nate Davis, our Assistant Manager, did the right thing and gathered everyone in the walk-in cooler which is the safest location in a restaurant building.

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“Our Team is working diligently to ensure all of our team members have work available at our other area Pizza Hut locations. We want to ensure that no one suffers a personal financial loss because of this catastrophe.

“We are not the building owner, so that piece is out of our hands, but we intend to rebuild at that location and re-open as soon as possible.

“We are evaluating if it is possible to deliver to Portage from our adjacent restaurants. It’s too early to know that at this moment.”