Pizza Hut to shutter 250 ‘underperforming' locations
Yum!Yum!(US:YUM) New York Post·2026-02-04 20:13

Core Insights - Pizza Hut is closing 250 locations, representing about 3% of its US footprint, as part of a strategic review by its parent company, Yum! Brands, which may consider selling the chain in the future [1][2] - The closures are part of a turnaround strategy named "Hut Forward," which includes marketing investments and technology upgrades [2] - Pizza Hut has faced challenges in competing with rivals like Domino's, with a 5% drop in US same-store sales in 2025 and a 3% decline in the fourth quarter, indicating that turnaround efforts have not yet been effective [3][6] Company Performance - Taco Bell has shown strong performance with a 7% increase in US same-store sales in the fourth quarter, attributed to new menu items appealing to a diverse customer base [6] - KFC has also shown signs of improvement, with a 1% increase in US same-store sales in the fourth quarter, as it attempts to catch up with competitors [6][7]