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'I think every seat will be full' | Charlotte restaurants prepare for surge in Super Bowl crowds for 2022

Restaurants are stocking up and making sure they are staffed up ahead of the big game to meet the demand.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-area restaurants are preparing for big business in-house and to-go as Super Bowl Sunday nears.

This year, it means restaurants are making sure they’re stocked up on food and supplies amid supply chain shortage and making sure they have enough staff on the schedule to meet the demand.

Benny Pennello’s in NoDa is bracing for a big increase in orders on Super Bowl Sunday. According to American Pizza Community, it’s one of the top five busiest days for pizza orders.

“From when we open 'til all the way when we close, we’re going to have pies, pies, pies constantly the entire day,” said Jessie Jacobs, general manager at the restaurant.

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The pizzeria is expecting to make 150 pies on Super Bowl Sunday, and then turn right around on Monday to make its well-known heart-shaped pizzas for Valentine’s Day.

“Since those two days are back-to-back, we’re pretty much going to do the same thing, rinse and repeat from Super Bowl Sunday into Valentine,” Jacobs said. “So, we got to keep a level head and keep our morale up, you know, cause it’s going to be difficult, but we’re going to do it.”

Dilworth Neighborhood Grille is usually packed for the big game.

“I think every seat will be full, and even as big as that will be, to-go business will be so large,” said Matt Wohlfarth, owner of the restaurant.

With supply chain shortages being an issue, Wohlfarth said he’s been stocking up on food in advance of the big game, with 2,000 pounds of chicken wings ready to go to make sure there’s enough to go around.

“It’s a little harder to get the food these days so we had to, you know, start earlier than usual and stock up,” he said, “had to buy extra coolers and freezers.”

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Wohlfarth said he has worked hard to ensure the restaurant is staffed up for Super Bowl Sunday.  

“We’re never fully staffed, but I’m pretty happy with where we are,” he added. “We could always use a few more.”

The month of January was a little rough for the restaurant between the threat of winter weather on playoff game days and the fear of COVID-19, but Wohlfarth said he’s hoping the restaurant wins big this Super Bowl Sunday.

“It looks like good weather,” Wohlfarth said, “and it should go well. It should go really well.”

Restaurants WCNC Charlotte spoke to for this story advised people to place orders for Super Bowl Sunday in advance to ensure they can get the food needed for any parties.

Contact Kendall Morris at kmorris2@wcnc.com and follow her on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

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