1938: Fair Labor Standards Act
The Fair Labor Standards Act, enacted in 1938, established minimum wage, overtime pay, and other labor standards in the United States.
1959: Franchising Begins
Pizza Hut's rapid success led to the launch of its franchising model in 1959, just a year after its founding.
1965: Pizza Hut produces its first television commercial
In 1965, Pizza Hut produced its inaugural television commercial, a humorous and engaging ad that would later become a classic.
November 19, 1966: Pizza Hut's first television commercial airs
Pizza Hut's first foray into television advertising occurred on November 19, 1966, with a memorable commercial titled "Putt-Putt to the Pizza Hut".
1966: Eastward Expansion
Pizza Hut crossed the Mississippi River in 1966 with the opening of its first restaurant in Athens, Ohio, marking a significant step in its expansion across the United States.
1969: Iconic Building Style Implemented
The iconic Pizza Hut building design, conceived in 1963, was finally put into practice in 1969, creating a visually distinct presence for the brand.
1973: Pizza Hut opens in the UK
Pizza Hut expanded its reach to the United Kingdom in 1973, marking a significant step in its international growth.
1975: Applegate's Landing Experiment
Pizza Hut ventured into new territory in 1975 with Applegate's Landing, a new restaurant concept featuring Colonial-style exteriors, eclectic interiors, and an expanded menu that included hamburgers and bread pudding.
November 1977: PepsiCo Acquires Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut became a part of the PepsiCo family in November 1977, marking a significant moment in its corporate history.
1977: Acquisition by PepsiCo
A significant milestone occurred in 1977 when PepsiCo acquired Pizza Hut, signaling the brand's growing value and potential in the fast food industry.
1985: Pizza Hut opens first store in South Korea
Pizza Hut's first foray into the South Korean market occurred in 1985 with the opening of its inaugural store.
1987: Pizza Hut uses "Makin' it great!" slogan
From 1987 to 1995, Pizza Hut's advertising slogan was "Makin' it great!", highlighting the quality and care put into their pizzas.
1989: Pizza Hut sponsors "Back to the Future Part II"
Pizza Hut engaged in a notable sponsorship deal in 1989 by partnering with the film "Back to the Future Part II", offering movie-themed sunglasses with pizza purchases and featuring their logo in the film.
1991: Pizza Hut airs "The Pizza Head Show" commercials
From 1991 to 1999, Pizza Hut ran a series of commercials in the U.S. called "The Pizza Head Show", featuring a talking slice of pizza.
August 1994: PizzaNet Pilot Program
In August 1994, Pizza Hut embarked on a groundbreaking pilot program with Santa Cruz Operation (SCO), introducing PizzaNet, an early iteration of online pizza ordering that allowed customers to place orders directly from their computers.
1994: PizzaNet Launches
Pioneering the digital age, Pizza Hut launched PizzaNet in 1994, an early experiment in online ordering that showcased the brand's forward-thinking approach.
March 26, 1995: Stuffed Crust Delights Customers
Pizza Hut delighted pizza lovers on March 26, 1995, with the introduction of its now-iconic "stuffed crust" pizza, a culinary innovation that quickly gained popularity and became a customer favorite.
1995: Closure of Last Applegate's Landing
After a run of about two decades, the last remaining Applegate's Landing restaurant in McPherson, Kansas, closed its doors in late 1995.
1995: Pizza Hut introduces "You'll love the stuff we're made of" slogan
Pizza Hut introduced the slogan "You'll love the stuff we're made of" in 1995, emphasizing the quality of their ingredients and the passion behind their pizzas.
1995: Donald and Ivana Trump appear in a Pizza Hut commercial
Pizza Hut's 1995 advertising campaign featured a memorable commercial starring Donald Trump and his then ex-wife, Ivana Trump, using their recent divorce as a humorous element.
1995: Ringo Starr and Rush Limbaugh appear in separate Pizza Hut commercials
Pizza Hut's 1995 advertising featured two notable figures: Ringo Starr in a commercial teasing a Beatles reunion (with The Monkees), and Rush Limbaugh promoting their "eating pizza crust first" campaign for stuffed crust pizzas.
1995: Stuffed Crust Innovation
The introduction of the stuffed crust pizza in 1995 was a testament to Pizza Hut's commitment to product innovation, a move that quickly resonated with customers.
1996: Celebrity Endorsement
In 1996, Pizza Hut launched a global advertising campaign featuring Formula One driver Damon Hill and commentator Murray Walker promoting stuffed crust pizza. The ad parodied Walker's flamboyant style.
May 30, 1997: Spin-off into Tricon
On May 30, 1997, PepsiCo spun off Pizza Hut, along with other restaurant brands, into a new entity called Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., paving the way for its future as part of Yum! Brands.
1999: Pizza Hut ends "The Pizza Head Show" commercials
Pizza Hut's "The Pizza Head Show" commercials stopped airing in 1999, marking the end of an era for the quirky and memorable ad campaign.
1999: Pizza Hut retires "You'll love the stuff we're made of" slogan
In 1999, Pizza Hut decided to retire the slogan "You'll love the stuff we're made of", making way for new branding and advertising campaigns.
1999: Pizza Hut appears in "Crazy Taxi" video game
Pizza Hut was featured in the 1999 Sega Dreamcast game "Crazy Taxi", serving as one of the destinations for players to deliver customers to.
2000: Pizza Hut Logo on Russian Rocket
In 2000, Pizza Hut's logo was featured on a Russian Proton rocket that launched the Zvezda module.
2001: Pizza Hut Reaches for the Stars
In a remarkable feat of culinary ingenuity, Pizza Hut developed a special pizza designed for delivery to the International Space Station in 2001. The pizza, vacuum-sealed and sized to fit the station's oven, was launched on a Soyuz spacecraft and enjoyed by astronaut Yuri Usachov in orbit.
May 22, 2002: Tricon Becomes Yum! Brands
Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., the parent company of Pizza Hut, underwent a name change in 2002, becoming Yum! Brands, a move that reflected its expanding portfolio of restaurant brands.
2002: Birth of Yum! Brands
Following a spin-off from PepsiCo, Pizza Hut became part of Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., which was later renamed Yum! Brands in 2002, marking a new chapter for the company.
2002: End of Book It! in Australia
The Australian version of the Book It! program came to an end in 2002.
2003: Yum! Brands launches WingStreet
In 2003, Yum! Brands launched WingStreet, incorporating existing Pizza Hut franchises with the goal of aggressive expansion.
2004: Pizza Hut Italian Bistro Unveiled
In 2004, Pizza Hut introduced "Pizza Hut Italian Bistro," an upscale concept designed to elevate the dining experience. This new format featured a more refined ambiance with a burgundy and tan color scheme and a menu that included dishes like penne pasta, chicken pomodoro, and toasted sandwiches.
October 2007: Criticism Over High Salt Content
Pizza Hut faced criticism in the UK in October 2007 for the high salt content in some of its menu items, exceeding recommended daily intake levels.
2007: Interactive Marketing Campaigns
In 2007, Pizza Hut ventured into interactive marketing by using mobile-phone SMS technology and their MyHut ordering site. They aired TV commercials with hidden words that viewers could text for coupons. They also launched the "MySpace Ted" campaign and the "Vice President of Pizza" contest, embracing social media and user-generated content.
2007: Criticism of Book It!
In 2007, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood criticized the Book It! program, claiming it promoted junk food in schools and exploited children.
2007: Pizza Hut retires "Gather 'round the good stuff" slogan
In early 2007, Pizza Hut decided to retire its long-standing advertising slogan, "Gather 'round the good stuff", marking a shift in its branding strategy.
April 1, 2008: "Pasta Hut" April Fools' Day Prank
On April 1, 2008, Pizza Hut pulled an April Fools' Day prank by changing its name to "Pasta Hut" in advertising and even temporarily changing the logo on its Dallas headquarters.
October 2008: "Pasta Hut" UK Promotion
In October 2008, Pizza Hut UK replicated the "Pasta Hut" campaign as a PR stunt, temporarily rebranding ten locations in London.
2008: Pizza Hut introduces "Now You're Eating!" slogan
Pizza Hut adopted a new advertising slogan, "Now You're Eating!", in 2008, aiming to create a more energetic and engaging brand image.
2008: Start of Salt Reduction Initiative
Pizza Hut began a salt reduction initiative in 2008 to lower sodium levels in its food to align with healthier eating guidelines.
2009: Pizza Hut launches "Your Favorites. Your Pizza Hut" slogan
In 2009, Pizza Hut introduced the advertising slogan "Your Favorites. Your Pizza Hut", emphasizing the customizable nature of their menu and appealing to customer preferences.
2010: Pizza Hut removed from "Crazy Taxi" re-release
When "Crazy Taxi" was re-released in 2010 for Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, Pizza Hut and other product placements were removed and replaced with generic locations.
2010: Book It! 25th Anniversary
The Book It! program celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010.
2010: Salt Reduction Initiative
Between 2008 and 2010, Pizza Hut reduced salt content across its menu by over 15% to comply with UK Food Standards Agency targets.
2012: Pizza Hut uses "Make it great" slogan
From 2012 to 2016, Pizza Hut's advertising slogan was "Make it great", a play on their earlier slogan, "Makin' it great!", used from 1987 to 1995.
July 14, 2014: Pizza Hut launches in Mongolia
Pizza Hut officially launched in Mongolia on July 14, 2014, under the operation of "Tavan Bogd Foods Pizza" LLC.
July 2014: Class Action Lawsuit by Delivery Drivers
In July 2014, Pizza Hut faced a class-action lawsuit filed by delivery drivers in the US alleging inadequate reimbursement for vehicle expenses, violating the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
November 19, 2014: Rebranding for Growth
In an effort to revitalize sales, Pizza Hut underwent a significant rebranding initiative starting on November 19, 2014. This involved expanding the menu, introducing new crust flavors, and redesigning employee uniforms to refresh the brand's image.
2014: Curbed.com Report on Traditional Units
In 2014, Curbed.com published a report highlighting the prevalence of Pizza Hut's traditional building style, noting that over 6,000 units with the iconic shingled roofs and trapezoidal windows still existed despite the brand's shift towards delivery.
November 2015: Dismissal Attempt Fails
Pizza Hut's attempt to have the delivery driver lawsuit dismissed failed in November 2015.
2015: Pizza Hut's logo appears in "Back to the Future Part II"
Pizza Hut's logo was featured in the 1989 film "Back to the Future Part II", set in the year 2015, showcasing a futuristic vision of the brand.
2015: Investment in London Branches and Cocktail Bars
Facing a decline in profits, Pizza Hut announced in 2015 a significant investment plan for its London branches. As part of this strategy, the company revealed plans to introduce cocktail bars in its London locations, aiming to attract a younger demographic and regain its market share.
December 2016: Lawsuit Settled
The lawsuit, Linkovich v. Capital Pizza Huts, Inc., et al., was settled through arbitration in December 2016, resulting in Pizza Hut paying damages.
2016: Pizza Hut adopts "No one outpizzas the hut" slogan
Pizza Hut's current advertising slogan, "No one outpizzas the hut", was introduced in 2016, emphasizing the brand's confidence and dominance in the pizza industry.
2017: Recognized as Influential Brand
Pizza Hut's global impact was acknowledged in 2017 when Richtopia, a UK-based company, placed the brand at number 24 on its list of the 200 Most Influential Brands in the World.
August 2018: Pizza Hut operates 324 franchises in South Korea
By August 2018, Pizza Hut had established a strong presence in South Korea, with 324 franchises operating throughout the country.
2018: Pizza Hut expands to Ethiopia
Pizza Hut furthered its global expansion by opening in Ethiopia in 2018.
January 2019: Expansion of Beer Delivery
In January 2019, Pizza Hut made a strategic move to enhance its delivery services by announcing the expansion of beer delivery to 300 locations across the United States, with plans to increase that number to 1,000 by the middle of the year.
March 2019: The P'Zone Returns
After a hiatus of several years, Pizza Hut delighted fans of its popular P'Zone in March 2019 by announcing its return to the menu, bringing back a beloved and indulgent treat.
June 25, 2019: Return to Classic Branding
On June 25, 2019, Pizza Hut announced the return of its classic logo and the familiar red roof design, elements that were a mainstay of the brand's identity from 1976 to 1999.
August 7, 2019: Closure of Dine-in Restaurants Announced
As part of a strategic shift, Pizza Hut announced on August 7, 2019, its plan to close approximately 500 dine-in restaurants in the US by mid-2021, signaling a focus on delivery and carry-out services.
August 18, 2020: Impact of NPC International Bankruptcy
Pizza Hut faced further challenges on August 18, 2020, when NPC International, one of its largest franchisees, declared bankruptcy. This development led to the announcement of plans to close up to 300 Pizza Hut restaurants.
March 2021: Flynn Restaurant Group Acquires NPC Locations
In a positive turn of events, Flynn Restaurant Group stepped in to acquire 937 Pizza Hut locations from the bankrupt NPC International in March 2021, ensuring the continuation of these restaurants under new ownership.
2021: Pizza Hut releases "nothing but the stuffed crust"
In 2021, Pizza Hut celebrated 25 years of stuffed crust pizza with a unique menu item: "nothing but the stuffed crust" - a ring of dough filled with cheese.
2023: Global Expansion
By 2023, Pizza Hut had significantly expanded its global presence, operating an impressive 19,866 restaurants worldwide.
2023: Pizza Hut UK introduces Beyond Meat Pepperoni
In 2023, Pizza Hut restaurants in the UK incorporated Beyond Meat Pepperoni into their menus, offering vegan-friendly options like the Big New Yorker with vegan cheese.
May 2024: Pizza Pan Group fined for spam marketing
In May 2024, Pizza Hut's Australian franchisee, Pizza Pan Group, faced a AU$2.5 million fine for violating Australian spam laws by sending over 10 million spam messages.