Pizza Inn's Remaining Dallas Location Was About To Close, Until It Got Saved

Pizza Inn was founded in Dallas in 1958 by brothers Joe and R.L. Spillman. At the time, they were SMU students and quickly made the chain their life’s work. Over the next 60 years, the brand expanded to have hundreds of locations across the Southeast. An offshoot called Pie Five launched in Fort Worth in 2011. As of June 2020, the Dallas-based chain had 151 locations nationwide.

Last Friday, January 10, the only remaining location in Dallas proper on Live Oak Steet announced it would be closing its doors after 25 years in the location. This franchise location is owned by the Hussain family, who made themselves well-acquainted with customers over the years in the location.

“Dad’s 76, mom’s 73 and they are ready for retirement," says Nicole Hussain, manager of the store. "Unfortunately, I can’t run it alone. Anyone who knows us knows us as Pops, Mom, Nicole and Brother.”

The planned closure date was January 27. When we spoke to Nicole over the phone, we overheard her explaining the news to the dismay of a customer.

“We’ve had birthday parties, funerals, anniversaries and reunions there,” she says. “We have made personal relationships with almost everyone that’s walked through the door.”

After reports came out that the location would be closing, the store replied to a Facebook comment with surprising news.

“The Pizza Inn in Dallas, TX on 4304 Live Oak Street is NOT CLOSING,” they wrote. “We repeat… the Pizza Inn on Live Oak is NOT CLOSING!”

The comment explains that the family planned to sell the business to another Pizza Inn franchisee located in Duncanville.

When we asked Nicole for details, she said that the sale was not confirmed, but only held up by minor details. If the location were to be bought, it would have to be made official by January 20, or else the location would close on January 27.

The Duncanville franchisee, Alex Calderon, did not respond to multiple attempts for comment.

In further confirmation, at 10:40 p.m. on January 13, the store posted again that the Duncanville franchisee would be taking over the location effective January 20.

The Hussain family will finish their last five days at the restaurant next week.

“For the past 25 years this place has been our second home,” Nicole says. “Anyone who comes in leaves as family.”