Sat, 25 Oct 2025

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 How the nation lost its appetite for Pizza Hut

Fewer diners are "hitting the Hut" and it is closing half its UK restaurants.
Fewer diners are visiting Pizza Hut, which was once a popular spot for families and friends due to its all-you-can-eat buffet, unlimited salad bar, and self-serve ice cream with toppings. Shoppers in London said the chain's struggles were due to it being "overpriced" and offering lower quality food compared to its competitors. Food prices have soared, making Pizza Hut's all-you-can-eat model very expensive to run, while staffing costs also increased due to rises in minimum wages and employer national insurance contributions. Pizza Hut is losing out to rivals like Domino's, which has dominated the takeaway pizza sector through aggressive marketing and deals that make consumers feel they're getting a bargain. The company's American-diner style can feel retro rather than upmarket, and its prices are no longer competitive with independent pizzerias offering high-quality pizzas at lower costs. As people eat out less frequently, they may look for premium experiences, which Pizza Hut does not offer.
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