Popular National Pizza Chain to Close 250 Stores by Mid-2026
Pizza Hut is set to close 250 locations across the United States by mid-2026 as part of a strategic restructuring initiative. Yum Brands, the parent company of Pizza Hut, disclosed this plan during a recent quarterly earnings call, highlighting the chain’s ongoing challenges in maintaining its market presence.
Details of the Store Closures
During the earnings announcement, Yum Brands’ Chief Financial Officer, Ranjith Roy, introduced the closure plan under a new strategy called “Hut Forward.” However, the company has not released a list of the specific underperforming stores affected by these closures.
Impact on Store Count and Sales
- Pizza Hut currently operates approximately 6,500 locations in the U.S.
- The impending closures represent a 4% reduction in its restaurant footprint.
- In 2025, system sales for Pizza Hut dropped to $3.47 billion, down from $3.61 billion in the previous year.
- Globally, the store count decreased by 251 locations year-over-year, partly due to franchisee shutdowns in Europe.
Last October, a franchisee in Europe closed 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites, prompting Yum Brands to acquire some locations to mitigate losses. Despite these efforts, the overall decline persists.
Strategic Review of Pizza Hut
In November, Yum Brands announced a comprehensive review of Pizza Hut’s operations, which might include a potential sale of the chain. Although updates on the review were limited during the earnings call, CEO Chris Turner indicated that the process is still ongoing and expected to conclude within the year.
As Pizza Hut navigates these significant changes, the company is striving to regain its competitive edge amid increasing competition in the pizza market. Those interested in further developments can stay tuned to Filmogaz.com for more updates.
