What’s behind the closures

BOISE -- Round Table Pizza is going out of business in the Treasure Valley.

Signs were posted on the doors of seven local pizza restaurants telling employees that their jobs had been terminated, effective today.

A second sign said thanks to patrons for their support. It read:

"We regret to inform you that Round Table Pizza will no longer serve the greater Boise area. Round Table Pizza is grateful for the opportunity to have provided a wonderful meal for your family."

Round Table Pizza issued a statement to the media today saying that the closures are permanent. And they regret having to exit the Boise market, but said the restaurants were no longer economically viable.

Several factors went into the decision to leave Boise. Among them were a combination of low consumer confidence, driven by high fuel prices and the subprime mortgage crisis, couple with record high commodities prices for items such as cheese and wheat.

It did not state how many local employees were being let go.

NewsChannel 7 spoke with a female employee who showed up to work this morning at the Meridian Round Table to learn she no longer had a job.

She said the closure came as a complete surprise. She was heading to a nearby Job Service Office to file for unemployment.

The sign told employees that they can pickup their paychecks after noon on Friday at a law offices of Hawley, Troxell, Ennis and Hawley at 877 Main Street in Boise.

A frequently asked question sheet will also be passed out with the paychecks.

Round Table Pizza operates 500 franchised restaurants nationwide with revenues in excess of $400 million.

Seven restaurants are closing locally. There are three in Boise, one in Eagle, Garden City, Meridian and Nampa.