First fast-food vendor reopens in Afghanistan

Photo By 2nd Lt. Rebecca Linder | Service members wait in line to order pizza from Pizza Hut after the reopening ceremony Feb. 20, at Camp Phoenix in Kabul, Afghanistan. Service members, civilians and other coalition forces came to support the first fast-food restaurant to be reopened after the ban was lifted last September.  

CAMP PHOENIX, AFGHANISTAN

02.20.2011

Courtesy Story

196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade

CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan – The first reopening of a fast-food vendor in Afghanistan was held Feb. 20 at Camp Phoenix in the nation’s capital of Kabul, since the ban was lifted on such amenities on U.S. military installations last September. Pizza Hut fired up its ovens and opened its doors to anxious service members wanting a “taste of home.”

“This is the first Pizza Hut that has reopened back here in Afghanistan,” said Rick Mora, Army and Air Force Exchange Services general manager for northern Afghanistan. “We have been waiting now for about four months to reopen; it has taken a lot of coordination, but we are very proud to be back.”
The lifted ban, which was originally placed by former International Security Assistance Force Commander Gen. Stanley McChrystal, because of space and logistical concerns, will now allow each individual base commander to decide which restaurants to bring back.

“These restaurants just bring a taste of home and good feeling here,” added Mora. “The dining facility folks do a fantastic job and they take good care of us with 24-hour service and nothing against them, but there is always something great about a name-brand, fast-food chain that just brings a piece of home here to Afghanistan for the troops.”

Soldiers are also excited to have a different selection of foods available to them and for the ban to be lifted.

“Reopening the Pizza Hut here gives us a variety of foods to choose from. The DFAC is free, but sometimes we just need a change and everyone loves pizza,” said Spc. Jess Boysen, 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, South Dakota Army National Guard. “I’m glad the ban got lifted and soldiers can enjoy a little bit of home from Afghanistan; it boosts troop morale.”

Although Camp Phoenix is the first base to bring back a fast-food restaurant, more are expected to reopen across Afghanistan.

“We have Burger King planned to open here in about 45 days and multiple other openings throughout the camps coming up,” said Mora. “The next will be at Bagram [Air Field] for a Pizza Hut and a Burger King in about two weeks.”

• Date Taken: 02.20.2011
• Date Posted: 02.20.2011 12:03
• Story ID: 65775
• Location: CAMP PHOENIX, AF