Grand opening held for Joplin Pizza Hut's - KOAM TV 7

Grand opening held for Joplin Pizza Hut's

The two Pizza Huts in Joplin celebrated their openings today with a ribbon cutting.  It took place at the Pizza Hut on Range Line, though both locations were devastated by the tornado.

Employees along with members of the Joplin Chamber of Commerce were there to celebrate.

President and CEO of NPC International Jim Schwartz says the reopening is bittersweet and while they're excited it also reminds them of the life lost.

"It is hard to believe it has been less than a year and to see all the rebuilding going on in Joplin, I think it is a testament to the people of Joplin who want to rebuild and their get their lives back to normal," says Schwartz.  "Pizza Hut is a way of getting your life back to normal because for some people Pizza Hut is an everyday life occurrence."

A small tribute garden and commemorative plaque was also built on site in remembrance of the employees and customers lost in the tornado.