DIXON, CA (MPG) - Raj Pooni, the new owner of the Round Table Pizza at 835 North Adams Street considers himself a “store resuscitator,” he said with a laugh. He started in the fast-food industry 30 years ago with Subway and buys stores that need a “fresh attitude” but it’s his sense of humor and dedication to customer service that make him a great win for pizza lovers in Dixon.

“There is an old saying: You can have great food and bad service and people won’t be back, but if you have mediocre food and great service, they’ll be back,” he said, offering one of a dozen “Golden Rules” he applies when he buys a store. “We have great food and great service. I bring a deeper appreciation for the customers,” he added. He emphasized that customer service is the most important aspect of business because in the franchise world, every single customer is your boss. The first thing he does is come through the door as if he is a customer.

“I see the whole thing from a customer viewpoint. When there is good service, things look normal, but when there is bad service, it sticks out. People eat with their eyes,” he explained while showing off the salad bar. “Round table is a better franchise because they hold owners accountable. Our dough is made fresh every day. All the ingredients are fresh. They are stringent on quality control,” he added.

The salad bar is completely refurbished with 24 different toppings offered daily. The spotless clean restaurant opened their doors at 11 a.m. and the lunch crowd soon began flowing in including a large office staff from a local dentist. The salad customers expressed pleasure at the large variety of colorful greens and lettuce.

“I love salads and I come in here just for the salad,” said Juanita Luna who was enjoying lunch with a friend.

“I come in here twice a month and there has been a dramatic improvement,” said Jill Davis. “He’s very generous to the schools and sports, too.” That could be because Pooni, a former soccer player and avid soccer fan, and his wife of 27 years are a “soccer playing family.” They have raised three daughters. Pavan, 19, is the youngest and plays soccer for Sac State. Kiran, 22, went to Menlo College to play soccer and Preet, 25, is an accomplished soccer player.

Pooni, who is originally from England, most recently owned two pizza franchises in Sacramento. He bought the Dixon Round Table Pizza parlor last October and immediately started working with staff to be more positive.

“We have 10 or 11 brilliant coworkers. As an owner, you learn that you have to be positive and don’t allow negative energy. I tell employees they work ‘with’ me, not ‘for’ me,” he said. “Nobody wants to work so let’s make it fun, I tell them. It’s a challenge sometimes but you can see the reward,” he said, but he also admits he can be tough when he has to be. There is a reason the company is a success, and he is accountable to those guidelines as well.

“But, sincere praise goes a long way,” he added.

That kind of praise trickled from the top for Pooni, too.

“We met in 2019 when he was buying the Sacramento restaurants and we talked every day,” said FBC Franchise Business Consultant Mike Colenzo, who added that then the pandemic hit. “He remained positive. He is the perfect person who carries that positive philosophy – and it guides him wherever he’s going and whatever he’s doing. He thrives on turning struggles around and he [makes] happy staff.” There are no corporate locations, Colenzo added. Each unit stands on its own.

“He was there for me every step of the way,” said Pooni with mutual admiration. Round Table Pizza is a chain and franchise of pizza parlors in the Western United States. The first Round Table Pizza restaurant was opened in 1959, and the company has over 400 restaurants.