Tim Sparks

“People put their phones down,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks observed a phenomenon among customers visiting the Classic restaurants.

“That's where they were dramatically wrong,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks responded to skepticism that the retro concept would only appeal to baby boomers.

“It wasn't something I ever experienced because it was gone by the time I became a teenager, but it was something I always saw in pictures and really wished I had,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks reflected on his own childhood nostalgia for a era he never personally experienced.

“That would really take it all the way back,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks discussed plans to bring back old red curtains at the Tunkhannock location.

“The brand quit producing them for us because … there just wasn't a big enough commitment from people to buy them.”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks explained why the brand stopped producing the Tiffany-style lamps.

“I think it does take them back to a little clip of time and an era where, in their minds, things weren't as hectic,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks theorized about why younger generations are drawn to the retro restaurants.

“There's only 1,700 people in that town, and they will almost double the national average of Pizza Hut this year in sales,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks described the outsized sales performance of the small-town Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania location.

“When we started to get a lot of traction with social media, these weren't 50- and 60-year-olds coming in and doing TikToks, right? These were [people in their] teens and 20s coming in and doing them.”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks noted that younger people, not just older generations, were engaging with the Classic restaurants on social media.

“I can't explain it, but it's super cool to watch.”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks remarked on how enjoyable it is to watch customers connect in the retro setting.

“really resonated with everybody,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks said customer feedback showed the retro styling resonated well with guests.

“We flew out to see it once it was finished, and as soon as I walked through the door, it just really struck me,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks described visiting the first Pizza Hut Classic Daland opened in Dahlonega, Georgia.

“It was a little simpler time.”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks described the appeal of a simpler era evoked by the Classic restaurants.

“Now, because of the attention, we have five different vendors bidding to build those lights for us again,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks noted renewed vendor interest in producing the retro lamps due to increased attention.

“Once they're over the excitement, and they're taking pictures of the Pac-Man machine and the salad bar and the Tiffany lights … they set it down, and they start having conversation,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks described customers putting down their phones and having conversations after taking photos in the restaurant.

“They approached a few franchisees and said, 'Hey, we're thinking about doing this retro look. Do you guys want to participate in the test?' So I jumped at that opportunity,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks recalled how Pizza Hut approached franchisees about testing the retro Classic concept around 2017.

“We did eventually run into a problem where we actually bought all the Tiffany lights that we could find,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks described the difficulty in sourcing Tiffany-style lamps for the retro locations.

“We always want to provide great service, and we always want to provide a great product. But when you get put under a spotlight like this, and people are coming from two or three hours away, you've got to deliver on that expectation.”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks explained the pressure to meet customer expectations given the attention the restaurant has received.

“We have a big responsibility,”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks discussed the responsibility of running the popular Homosassa Springs Pizza Hut Classic location.

“I was super excited. I thought I was going to like it. I didn't know I was going to like it as much as I did. For me personally, it hit home.”

Tim Sparks · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Sparks recounted his reaction upon seeing the retro-styled restaurant for the first time.