When people in the Pacific Northwest think about family-friendly pizza buffets, Izzy’s Pizza is often one of the first names that comes to mind. Known for its all-you-can-eat pizza, salad bar, and cozy atmosphere, Izzy’s became a go-to spot for birthdays, family gatherings, and casual dinners. Over the years, however, the restaurant landscape has changed dramatically, and many loyal customers have been left wondering: Is Izzy’s Pizza still in business?
A Little Background about Izzy’s Pizza
Izzy’s Pizza started in Albany, Oregon, in 1979. What began as a local pizzeria quickly grew into a well-loved chain across Oregon and Washington. By the 1990s and early 2000s, Izzy’s was at its peak, with over 30 locations offering buffet-style dining at affordable prices.
The restaurant stood out for more than just pizza. Guests could enjoy fried chicken, soups, desserts, and a full salad bar. For families, the wide variety meant everyone could find something they liked, which made Izzy’s a popular community hangout.
Is Izzy’s Pizza Still in Business?
The short answer is yes—but not in the traditional sense. While Izzy’s brick-and-mortar buffet restaurants have closed, the brand has not disappeared completely. In recent years, Izzy’s has shifted toward a different business model, focusing on food trucks and mobile dining experiences.
This means you can’t walk into a traditional Izzy’s restaurant anymore, but fans can still find Izzy’s at local events, stadiums, and special gatherings where their food truck, often called “Izzy’s Time Machine,” shows up to serve classic favorites.
Current Status of Izzy’s Pizza
Today, Izzy’s is a food truck brand rather than a full-scale restaurant chain. It operates primarily in Oregon and pops up at community events like baseball games at Volcanoes Stadium or local fairs. Customers are often excited to reconnect with the nostalgic flavors that remind them of their childhood visits to Izzy’s buffets.
This smaller and more flexible model allows Izzy’s to reduce operating costs while still keeping the brand alive. Instead of struggling with high overhead from large buffet-style locations, the company has embraced mobility and convenience to meet customers where they are.
Why Izzy’s Pizza Locations Are Closed?
A number of causes contributed to Izzy’s buffets’ demise. First, changing dining habits led to a drop in buffet popularity. Many families shifted toward takeout and delivery, especially with the rise of apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats.
Second, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated closures. Buffets were hit especially hard by health regulations and customer concerns about shared serving spaces. Without a strong delivery model in place, Izzy’s found it difficult to sustain operations.
Finally, financial pressures and rising competition forced the chain to shut down its restaurants. By 2020, most Izzy’s locations had closed their doors permanently.
Izzy’s Pizza vs. Competitors
For decades, Izzy’s Pizza competed with other buffet-style restaurants like Pizza Hut buffets, Shakey’s Pizza, and Round Table Pizza. While competitors began modernizing their menus and embracing delivery services, Izzy’s largely stayed with its classic buffet setup.
This lack of adaptation made it harder for Izzy’s to keep up. However, unlike some competitors that vanished completely, Izzy’s has managed to survive by reinventing itself as a food truck, showing resilience even when others in the buffet space disappeared entirely.
Izzy’s Pizza Stability Amid Market Challenges
Despite losing its traditional locations, Izzy’s has shown a surprising level of stability in a tough market. By downsizing into a mobile format, the brand has avoided the high rent, staffing, and utility costs that sank many other buffet chains.
The nostalgic power of the Izzy’s name also provides stability. Many families who grew up eating there are eager to support the food truck, keeping the brand alive. This connection to the community remains one of Izzy’s biggest strengths.
Izzy’s Pizza Roadmap for the Future
Looking forward, Izzy’s Pizza is expected to expand its food truck presence and may even partner with more local events, festivals, and sports venues. The brand could also consider launching frozen retail products or delivery-only “ghost kitchen” concepts to reach a wider audience.
With nostalgia as a powerful marketing tool, Izzy’s has the potential to thrive in a smaller, more modern format. While it’s unlikely the large buffet restaurants will make a comeback, Izzy’s can continue to reinvent itself to meet changing dining trends.
Conclusion
Izzy’s Pizza may no longer have its famous buffet restaurants, but the brand is still alive through its food truck operations. From its humble beginnings in 1979 to its rise as a regional favorite, Izzy’s has faced tough challenges but found creative ways to adapt.
Today, Izzy’s represents more than just pizza—it’s a piece of Pacific Northwest history. While the buffets may be gone, the brand continues to live on wheels, bringing back smiles and memories for loyal fans. For those who grew up eating at Izzy’s, the good news is that the pizza isn’t gone forever—you just have to catch the truck when it rolls into town.
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