Pizza Hut’s parent company, Yum! Brands, has announced it will close 250 underperforming U.S. restaurant locations in the first half of this year as part of a strategic review of the pizza chain’s future. The closures represent roughly three percent of Pizza Hut’s U.S. footprint and were disclosed during the company’s recent earnings call.
Yum! Brands — which also owns Taco Bell and KFC — has said the review could include a possible sale of the Pizza Hut brand as it works to reverse ongoing declines in same-store sales and competitive challenges in the pizza market.
Corporate officials have not released a complete list of the individual restaurants affected by the closures. However, earlier this week, employees at the Pizza Hut in Bridgman were reportedly informed that their restaurant would be closing permanently, and the location has since shut its doors and updated its social media status to “permanently closed.”
Industry analysts say the closures are part of broader efforts by Yum! Brands to modernize the Pizza Hut business and focus on stronger performing units while addressing competitive pressure from rivals. The strategic review is expected to continue through the year, with no final decisions announced so far.
Moody on the Market has reached out to local representatives for comment.
