This Pizza Hut in Pennsylvania is turning back the clock to attract diners: red roof, vinyl booths, even a salad bar — and it's paying off big time

Tim Sparks’ company owns 93 (1) Pizza Hut restaurants — and he has converted 38 of them to the old classic dine-in facilities that made the chain so popular.

A pepperoni time machine

The locations, called “Classics” will be instantly familiar to anyone who spent time in the restaurants in their childhood. The location itself has the familiar red roof in the shape of the company’s logo. The booths are red vinyl and the tables are covered with a checkered tablecloth. Faux Tiffany lamps hang from the ceiling and drinks are served in iconic red cups. A salad bar is prominently on display. And along the wall in at least one location, you’ll find a Pac-Man arcade machine.

It’s a detailed trip to the past — and it’s paying off for Sparks. CBS reports (2) the locations are some of the top performing ones at the franchise. And some diners, says Sparks, “come from two and three hours away, and I’m not making that up.”

Even more impressive? The unique nature of the restaurants is convincing families and other diners to put their phones down and actually have a conversation over their dinner.

As a result, he says, he’s planning to convert more of his locations to Classic restaurants.

Book It!’s back as well

Those same diners who long for the days of old-school Pizza Hut locations also likely remember the company’s reading program, Book It!, which rewarded elementary school children who reach their reading goal with a Personal Pan Pizza.

Sparks isn’t the only one leaning into nostalgia. Pizza Hut corporate has resurrected that summer reading incentive, which kicked off (3) on May 1.