History

HISTORY OF PIZZA HUT

Although pizza was introduced on the east coast by Italian immigrants at the turn of the century, it was the drive and entrepreneurial spirit of two young Americans in the heartland of this country that made pizza one of this country’s favorite foods.

When American GI’s returned from World War II, they had acquired a taste for that Italian delight, pizza. By November 1957, The Saturday Evening Post reported that there were more than 18,000 pizzerias in America. Clearly, pizza was an idea whose time had come.

In 1958, a family friend who had recently read the Post article approached brothers Frank and Dan Carney of Wichita, Kansas. She suggested that they try opening a pizza parlor in a small building she owned. The Carneys borrowed $600 from their mother, hired John Bender (who had worked in a pizzeria), and purchased some second-hand equipment to try their hand at this new enterprise.

When it came time to name their business, the Carneys looked at the tiny sign on the building. They wanted “pizza” in the name, which left room for a three letter word. A family member remarked that the building was shaped like a hut – and “Pizza Hut” was born.

On June 15th, 1958, that first Pizza Hut restaurant opened for business. Within a year, they had opened three Pizza Hut restaurants in Wichita, and had plans for opening the first franchise restaurant to Topeka, Kansas. By 1962, there were 43 Pizza Hut restaurants in operation. By, 1968, the number had grown to 300.

Carolina Pizza Huts Inc. was a new Pizza Hut Franchisee starting in 1980. Today Carolina Pizza Huts Inc. is based in Concord, NC and consists of 20 Pizza Huts located in North Carolina (Albemarle, China Grove, Concord, Kannapolis, Harrisburg, Monroe, Indian Trail, Waxhaw, Wesley Chapel, Wingate and Wadesboro) and 2 units in Lancaster, SC.

Pizza Hut is the biggest – and the best – pizza restaurant system in the world. Today, approximately 85% of the Pizza Hut restaurants and delivery units in operation are franchised owned. With more than 15,000 locations around the globe, it is the undisputed leader of the pizza industry. We’ve established a solid reputation for our high standards of product quality while becoming legendary for our friendly, efficient service. We take pride in the high caliber of our employees. Through training and their own initiative, our employees do more than just “satisfy” their customers. They “consistently demonstrate to America that Pizza Hut is the best choice for every pizza occasion”.

Pizza Hut near me