West Milford Many long-time West Milford residents may remember TJ’s Pizzeria Café as being called The Pizza Place. In town over 30 years, some may even remember Tim Deaver, now the company manager of five TJ’s restaurants, when he was just a kid making pizza in the store. Through the years there have been many changes. Recently the restaurant was remodeled and re-named and home delivery within a five mile radius of the store became a significant part of the business. TJ’s is still evolving and reaching out to the community is a part of their business plan. Adapting to the times Spokesperson and regional partner, Steve Freaney, explained their current strategy for a multi-tiered management plan. They’ve always had ideas, he said, but opening stores seven days a week left little time to plan. They believe their reorganized internal structure will give them the freedom they need to keep moving forward. “Tim and I are essentially the management team and we are developing regional and store management teams. We are charting the path into the future,” Freaney said. Deaver and Freaney are responsible for keeping all the stores in line, bringing in new programs, and importantly, keeping their eye on the economy and reacting to it. Freaney spoke of the difference a few years can make. Several years ago all you had to do was put out your best product and sales took care of themselves, he remarked. With today’s economy people are cutting back and TJ’s is coming up with money-saving specials and community related fund raising. “When the recession started our first concept was to make family style trays; salad, pasta and drinks. They sold well and now we’ve come up with a Complete Meal Deal’ - a dinner for one including appetizer, entrée, salad and garlic sticks for under $10,” Freaney said. Of course pizza is always on the menu and the Wednesday pizza special, a large cheese pie for $7.99, is always popular. Raising dough Adapting to changing times and reaching out to the township, the concept of “Dough Raiser Night” was born. Local groups from Boy Scouts to fire companies can benefit from taking part in this dining for dollars event. Held on Mondays and Tuesdays, participating organizations can enjoy an across-the-board choice from the menu, including specials and coupon deals, and the group receives 15 percent of the diner’s bill donated back to the organization. “The future for us is to run with what we have and improve our relationship with our customers through our web site and through Dough Raisers.’ We are starting to develop a relationship with kids who want to work hard in school by rolling out this coming fall “TJ’s Pays for A’s,” Freaney said. Still in its planning stage, the idea is to reward kids who get A’s on their report cards with gift cards that can be redeemed for food dollars. “We see that the kids who do well in school are our best workers,” said Freaney. “On the job they are diligent and have a nice manner and they have the same approach in school. This will be our way of telling kids that what you are doing is great.” If you happen to meet Freaney you won’t be able to miss his brogue. So what’s a son of Ireland doing in an Italian restaurant? “St. Patrick was a Roman,” he said with a smile. TJ’s Pizzeria Café West Milford location is at 18 Marshall Hill Road. The Web site, www.tjsmenu.com, contains their menu, coupons, employment opportunities and information about Dough Raiser Nights.