WOW! What a change! Sooooo disappointing!
Sooooo many reasons I've looked forward to frequent stops:
** Great pizza (love the 'toppings bar' and the ability to completely customize your 'pie')
** Upbeat atmosphere ... terrific 'crew' -- professional, upbeat, customer friendly.
** Fast and efficient service, all while making you ("me") feel welcome *every* time.
Stopped by a week ago (4/27/19). What a mess!
Waited in line 45 minutes for my pizza. What took so long?
Instead of what had previously been one line for order placement and fulfillment, there was one line with two 'stations.' The crew member at the first station was filling online orders ... took orders from those in line only when all online orders had been filled. The crew member at the second station was dedicated to those waiting in line. It looked like a crazy game show -- instead of 'fast and efficient' the pace was 'feverish.' In order to fit the toppings from one 'buffet' line into two lines in the same space, the containers holding the toppings were smaller. So, in addition to two crew members working to fill orders, there was a 3rd crew member dodging in and out refilling the containers.
Net losses:
** The rhythm and speed of 'assembly line' pizza making. Ask Henry Ford why he replaced his equivalent of this Mod's new system (where each crew member makes a pizza from start to finish), with his equivalent of this Mod's 'old' system (where each pizza moved 'down the line' from crew member to crew member).
** Sliced tomatoes. Although there are still diced tomatoes, sliced tomatoes were absent. (Maybe they take up too much space.)
I asked what was going on -- why the change(s)? -- and was told they were implemented by a new manager. When I asked to speak to the manager, I was told that she wasn't there ... supposed to be there, but wasn't.
Important note: Be clear -- Online orders take top priority. They're filled first. Some of the people in line pulled out their phones and ordered online. Yep! -- they moved themselves to the front of the line. Also, Yep! -- it's a brilliant move, 'cause 'jumping the line' is rewarded with faster service. I didn't, only because I was curious to see how long it would take to just 'come in and wait in line for a pizza' now.
Fast Forward to Tonight (5/4/19).
Stopped by to see if the 'new system' was still in place.
Happily surprised to find no one in line. Not one person.
Happy there wasn't a long wait -- heck, no wait at all. At the same time, it was eerie -- I've never been there when it's been so empty.
Saw only 2 familiar crew members.
Asked the new person working the pizza oven if they'd 'fixed the new system.'
Her reply -- stone-faced, no smile -- abrupt; curt -- "No, it's the same system. Sales are up ... no line ... haven't heard any negative feedback from anyone else ... it's the same system."
True -- there was no line. Implication was that customers had been quickly served. Wonder if customers had truly been quickly served or if there just weren't many customers *to* serve.
Curiously, she didn't ask what I meant ... what my feedback would have been. Though I have no way of knowing, I'll bet my favorite socks I was talking to the new manager.
I just checked the Mod website. Interesting to see:
"We're looking for smart, savvy leaders who aren't afraid to have a little fun and let their personalities shine."
- and -
"MOD's always looking for people who want to work in a fun, fast-paced environment."
You'd never guess *that* if you walked into the Mod on Cedar Hills Blvd. in Beaverton, OR now.
What counts there? Sales and speed, apparently.
As for Their Crew? Don't know how they could be more clear -- their interest seems to stop at 'sales and speed.' Why else would they complicate an efficient, streamlined system and leave the Crew Members to 'deal with it' while Customers watch?
And, Customers? Be clear -- Online Customers are valued more than in-house Customers. They go to the front of the line. Probably related to the 'speed' factor -- it's much faster to pull an online order from the printer than it is to ask a Customer (face to face) what they'd like to have on their pizza.
Happily there are lots of great dining options in the Portland Metro area.
Still, it's sad to see a unique and fun Portland restaurant disappear into a faceless corporate machine ... where people -- Employees and Customers alike -- matter only in terms of the numbers they represent. read more