Papa John's swamped by pizza fundraiser

Papa John's has raised so much money for the families of the slain Lakewood police officers that its pizza shops in the Seattle area are running out of dough.

The pizza chain announced that its 42 shops in the Puget Sound region would donate profits from sales Tuesday and today to the families of officers Tina Griswold, Ronald Owens, Mark Renninger and Gregory Richards.

Orders poured in at such a pace that some Seattle-area shops couldn't take new orders on Wednesday afternoon, said Matt Edwards who oversees operations for 10 shops, including those in the University District and West Seattle.

"The response has been truly overwhelming from an operational and emotional standpoint," Edwards said. "I just couldn't be more proud to be part of the community."

Shortages hit Pierce County outlets Tuesday night, according to owner Peter Ogg. But a new shipment of supplies arrived Wednesday morning, and the stores are up and running with a limited menu, he said.

Diane Kaelin operating partner for nine Papa John's shops in Snohomish County, said her store in downtown Everett is not taking new orders because of the customer crunch.

"I've been in the pizza business 30 years and I've never seen anything like it," Kaelin said, adding that she expected several other of her shops to shut down earlier than normal today.

Edwards said he initially estimated that the fundraiser for the fallen four would quadruple daily business. He now believes the spike in the demand for pies will be greater, perhaps 10 times the normal volume.

The shops had hoped to donate around $20,000, Edwards said, but he's confident it's going to be more.

"We received over 10,000 orders in the Puget Sound area Tuesday. That's about 5 ½ times the typical Tuesday," said Tish Muldoon, a spokeswoman for Kentucky-based Papa John's.

Stores aren't completely out of dough and other products. But given the need to fulfill pre-existing orders, Edwards said shops are unable to take new orders — though he hopes they'll be restocked and ready to accept orders later today.

He ascribes the pizza-boom to "nothing but the fundraiser, all the people calling are asking about it."

Those who still want to contribute during the shortage should call and get a gift card, Edwards said. That way they can order a pizza in the future and still have a Wednesday gift-card purchase go toward the fundraiser.

"We would like to thank the public for their patience," Kaelin said. "We have people waiting two or three hours for their pizza."

Bob Young: 206-464-2174 or byoung@seattletimes.com