卖了半个世纪的“披萨之王”破产了

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the severe operational crisis faced by Pizza Hut's UK business, highlighting its recent bankruptcy proceedings and the challenges within the broader UK restaurant industry. Group 1: Pizza Hut UK Crisis - Pizza Hut UK franchisee DC London Pie has entered bankruptcy management, resulting in the permanent closure of 68 dine-in restaurants and 11 delivery points, leading to the loss of 1,210 jobs [4][5] - This marks the second bankruptcy for Pizza Hut UK within nine months, with previous debts reaching approximately £40 million [7][8] - Despite intervention from Yum Brands, which managed to save 64 remaining restaurants and 1,277 jobs, the future remains uncertain due to underlying structural issues [11][12] Group 2: Historical Context - Pizza Hut has been a part of the UK market since 1973, once boasting over 700 locations and employing 14,000 people at its peak in 1999 [12][14] - The brand's decline began around 2012, with significant competition from rivals like Domino's and Papa John's, which capitalized on the growing preference for delivery services [16][17] - The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation, forcing the closure of 29 locations and severely impacting dine-in operations [18] Group 3: Broader Industry Challenges - The UK restaurant industry is facing a crisis, with a 13.1% year-on-year increase in businesses in "critical" financial distress, and a 31.2% rise in bars and restaurants facing similar issues [20][21] - Factors contributing to this crisis include the pandemic, inflation, rising energy prices, and increased tax burdens, which have severely impacted profitability [25][26][28] - The hospitality sector has been particularly hard hit, with 45% of affected jobs in the industry, highlighting the vulnerability of employment in this sector [29]