The Somerset Sandwich or The Wrap Zone, he has "not really nailed down a name", would be located under the same roof of the Four Star pizza operation in Somerset.

And while the company has adapted to meet the needs of its consumers across the Island, it has adapted to meet the needs of its employees as well.

Four Star employs full-time and part-time workers and expects a high turnover rate from its part-time employees who usually join the company to meet a short term goal, such as raising tuition to put a child through school.

However, the "explosion" of international business created quite a number of jobs which has allowed the Island to maintain full employment status, he said.

Coupled with the decline in popularity of the hospitality industry, Mr. Thomas has found that an "employment void" has been created.

There is very little mention about working in hospitality management, especially in schools, he said.

He continued: "You'll hear, be good to hospitality, hospitality is a nice place to be, but international business is the place to be . . . For us to build our business we can't not have people when we're busy."

The company, which aims to be the "premier employer of choice", has taken steps to entice the interest of the working population.

The compensation has changed.

When the company began in 1990, employees made $5.50 an hour.

Today employees make up to $14 an hour while drivers earn an additional $2 for each delivery they make.

The uniform has changed.

After receiving feedback from the employees, the "very in your face blue" was transformed into one "easier on the eyes and the large logo on back was replaced by a smaller logo on front.

Even the work environment will change.

Our stores are renowned to be warm in the summer because there are big ovens producing a lot of food but we want the total experience for the employee to be a much better one, he said.

The company is in the process of changing all air conditioner units in each restaurant.

Mr. Thomas estimates that the company will run out of employees after he reasoned that one sixth of the working population has had the Four Star experience.

"We've hired 5,000 people since we opened . . . That's probably one person in every family or their cousin," he said, after he reasoned that only 30,000 people were available to employ from an estimated population of 60,000 once another 30,000 were subtracted because they were expatriates or too old or young to work.

"The turnover is okay but I want former employees to tell other people I had good times, experienced something different, got to see my friends and family while working, saw views of Bermuda I never really see and made some money. You should do it too," he said.

And Mr. Thomas, in "patient excitement", had even lined up staff for the St. George's shop after advertising about three months ago.

We'll just have to re-advertise, he said.

But in spite of recent setbacks and in light all new plans, Mr. Thomas readily awaits the opening of the fifth Four Star pizzeria in St. George's.

"Soon, I hope very soon," he said. "Each week I keep saying next week."