A personal “pizza” Rose Rogers life.

While waiting to interview Rose, I heard a customer come in and tell her that he was happy to see her. I bet she hears that a lot. There aren’t many times that I’ve been in Pizza Hut when Rose isn’t there. Not just sometimes, but for many years.

Rose Rogers is our local Pizza Hut OG. She’s been around a very long time. For 36 years, Rose has been a staple and a name known by so many.

I asked Rose if she had ever done any other kind of work besides the restaurant business, and she told me that it’s what she’s always done. Rose began by working for Stevie Jones in London. She unloaded trucks, and from there she worked her way up.

I always enjoy it when someone tells me that they started at the bottom. From the bottom, there is always a way to move up. And she has done just that. Like stair steps, she never stopped until she got to where she wanted to be. Her then manager didn’t think she’d last very long when she finally got promoted. But she sure did exceed those expectations. Her mentor and manager became good friends over the years.

For 25 years, Rose had her help instill things that she still uses today. From a very young age, Rose was driven to work her way up. And here is the interesting thing. When she made her way to the top, she didn’t forget anything about the bottom.

Rose told me story after story about people that she had been able to help over the years. Not in a bragging way- it is evident that her heart cares so deeply for the people in this town.

Rose told me about delivering an order to the hospital in Lexington for a couple who were experiencing health issues. She knew this order by heart because the couple came into the restaurant frequently. The doctor was very impressed by that kind gesture. I don’t know all of the details, but I do know that her kindness reached the USA Today.

That was one fine compliment. Rose is genuine. She loves people. She loves to help people. I had to giggle a little under my breath when she told me about a man who told her she was intimidating. Now, when she told me who it was, I would have thought he would not be intimidated at all by her. But I have also been a little intimidated before. I didn’t tell her that, of course. And that was many, many years ago.

The older I got, the more I appreciated that when I’d leave, she’d always say, “Be careful”. And that’s what we say to people that we care about. I believe Rose says that to a lot of people.

When I asked Rose about her employees, she quickly told me that she enjoyed a family-like atmosphere. After work, she told me about times of having water gun fights and nighttime tag. She wants her employees to feel that she is more than a boss. And there is more to life than working.

I want to give her credit by saying that management told her it would take 10 years to get her restaurant to where it needed to be. It only took five years. I can’t imagine the hard work that was put into those five years. I asked Rose if she ever takes time for herself. Because honestly, I feel like Rose is always at work.

Turns out, I was wrong. She loves to travel. She was able to take a trip and do the Route 66 loop with her sister and nephew a few years ago. I’m envious of that one. She told me it was amazing. Rose likes to scrapbook, go to a lake house with friends, and spend time with her grandbabies—all girls. I’m betting they love to see her coming.

Rose likes Rod Stewart, and I’ll have to agree with her; he’s a legend. I had to ask the question, do you still like to eat pizza? She still likes pizza, but Italian is her favorite, with Red Lobster being second. Rose loves to cook. She told me about cooking for 100 people one time, and I know the look on my face said it all! I said, "How did you do that?” She just smiled and laughed and said, “I love it.”

Rose told me that she can also throw down in the pizza oven. No surprise that she has made a little bit of everything, including chili in a pizza oven. Rose loves Halloween and Christmas. I remember the costumes and decorations from when I was a child. I recall her collections of things all over the restaurant.

Not all Pizza Hut pizzas are Rose Rogers Pizza Hut pizzas. I’ve ordered before when out of town and was unpleasantly surprised when it was not the traditional 80’s pizza that I have known for so many years.

Rose told me that people come from all over to get pizzas from our Pizza Hut. I believe every word of that. I asked Rose if she thought she’d retire one day. She said,” Yeah, maybe”.

I asked what she would do if she retired. She quickly told me that she’d travel. I know where her heart is, as people came in by the handfuls, and Rose was taking time to talk with me. I knew that as soon as we were finished, she’d be right back to business.

We are very blessed to have such a beautiful asset to our community. With a heart of gold, Rose has made more pizzas than anyone could ever imagine. And she’s left an impression on anyone who knows her. Humble, genuine, and caring. That’s what I took from her. She’s dedicated her life to something that we have all been able to enjoy. And for that, I say thank you, Rose.