Pizza Hut Unveils New Restaurant Formats
Leading pizza company Pizza Hut said Tuesday it is introducing new concept stores in York, Neb. and Pawtucket, R.I. The concepts feature an all-new “pizza by the slice” experience with slices cut from an 18-inch pizza.
The pizza by the slice products also include new chef-inspired recipes alongside traditional favorites like cheese or pepperoni, all designed to match consumers desiring more on-the-go options from Pizza Hut.
Each concept has unique components driven by market behavior and dining style, says the company. The location in York, NE will seat 80-plus, highlighting the eat-in experience, while the location in Pawtucket will have a smaller seating area, accommodating roughly 30 spots.
The Pawtucket location is expected to primarily be a delivery and carryout option, with the pizza by the slice experience augmenting business during lunch hours and for busy, on-the-go consumers. Both locations will offer the pizza by the slice “bar.”
The location in York will include sauteed pasta and made to order salad stations to complement the Pizza Hut core favorites like Stuffed Crust and Pan pizza. Each restaurant will include new ingredients as well, offering more combination variety.
The new, fast-casual concepts include digital menu boards, deck ovens and an open seating environment, all twists on the company’s traditional dine-in stores. Nearly half of all Pizza Hut stores in the U.S. include dine-in and the company benefited from 115 net openings in 2013.
“We believe these concepts have broad appeal, and we’re bullish on our plans to quickly expand them to additional locations,” said Al Litchenburg, chief development officer, Pizza Hut.
Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM).
