Pizza Hut has closed 15 restaurants in Indiana, with 120 more locations potentially facing the same fate. Amid this decline, the chain has introduced new menu options, including Chicago-style tavern pizza available in four recipes, as well as eight additional toppings and sauces.
According to Rachel Antalek, Pizza Hut’s Chief Food Innovation Officer, the menu additions represent a bold step forward in the chain’s culinary mission to innovate and stay relevant. The tavern-style pizza, in particular, reflects the excitement of the current pizza scene.
In 2019, Pizza Hut planned to close over 500 locations as part of a shift from dine-in to delivery services.
The chain has faced controversy in recent years, including a lawsuit from EYM Group, which accused Pizza Hut of breaching its contract by failing to modernize its menu and ordering system. Pizza Hut countersued, alleging that EYM Group was experiencing financial issues and failed to make required payments.
In 2022, Pizza Hut received criticism for promoting a book about a child who dresses up in drag and wears a magical wig. Despite these challenges, the chain appears to be focused on innovation and adapting to changing consumer preferences.
