The young man is enthusiastic, energetic, and a familiar face among the bosses (many of whom are twice or thrice his age, at the sprawling shopping complex at Marsden Park where early each morning he arrives to get the restaurant ready for a long day serving pizza fans.
Dilan’s story is another cause for celebration amid Pizza Hut’s 50th birthday celebrations during which they will give away 50,000 free pizzas from August 3 until August 7, between 4pm to 6pm.
The 265 Pizza Hut restaurants located across Australia are giving away a whopping 10,000 pizzas every day for five days to celebrate and, more importantly, according to Dilan, to thank pizza fans for their support over the years and for holding on through the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
As one of the many successful franchisees, Dilan is shouting his customers a lunch or early dinner to mark Pizza Hut’s anniversary in Australia after the company first opened its humble first red-roofed outlet at Belfield NSW, in Sydney’s south, in 1970.
Dilan feels lucky to be celebrating with an iconic food brand. “For me, it means 50 years of good times, I hold many fond memories of enjoying Pizza Hut throughout my childhood and years with the company,” says Dilan. “The past 50 years of Pizza Hut proves the success of a company I am proud to be a part of.”
Dilan said running a restaurant was “stressful throughout” especially as Coronavirus pandemic hit Australia resulting to many businesses closing for public health safety.
“Throughout this pandemic, it has been both challenging and exciting, but we got busier, and it was a great opportunity to evolve with the business during this period,” says Dilan.
“We did it through the introduction of contactless delivery and pick-up, taking safety precautions throughout our service as well as maintaining high standards and quality of our pizza, pasta, wings, and side orders.”
Even as the coronavirus restrictions have eased, Dilan says the store continued to follow strict hygiene and physical distancing practices to ensure every staff and customer feel safe on the premises. There were reports of COVID-19 cases in at least two shops within the complex.
The food industry is classified essential service thus Dilan remained open to serve his customers' needs while others shut down.
New opportunities
“I have offered opportunities to my friends from school because they couldn’t find jobs, and I took a few of them to work with me,” says Dilan.
“Many of my friends had grown up eating at Pizza Hut stores, they know the brand well, and this brought back a sense of nostalgia.”
Pizza Hut area manager, Jackie Gavine, says Dilan’s staff admired his disciplined work ethics. “It is amazing to work with Dilan; his passion and energy for the brand are second to none. He’s a young gun.”
Dilan expressed gratitude to his loving and supportive parents. His father is an English teacher and an Arabic language interpreter while his mother works at the restaurant. The Elia family originally came from Chaldean in Iraq.
“If it wasn’t for my family’s support, and of course the team at Pizza Hut, I wouldn’t be where I am now,” he says.
“My other dream is to franchise my next Pizza Hut store. There are plenty of opportunities for those who want to become franchisees and for anyone who wants to start a business. I know I have their support. Thanks to them, I am now ten-plus years set for my future.”
On your GPS, set the location to Pizza Hut Marsden Park, 9 Hollinsworth Road, open daily from 11am till 11pm or call 13 11 66, and you’re all set to go and meet Dilan and the crew.
“Let’s share the good times with family and friends by enjoying our amazing Deep Pan Pizza that turned 40 years old this year, too,” says Dilan.
Free Pizza coupons that are claimed can be redeemed until August 31 only.
