Why Pizza Hut Fell Behind In The Pizza Wars

Before the pandemic, Pizza Hut was already falling behind its competitors. Pizza Hut was the largest pizza chain by global sales until Domino’s moved into No. 1 in 2017. Three years later, Pizza Hut’s largest U.S. franchisee filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Analysts say Pizza Hut needs to resolve three problems if it hopes to regain ground: reconciling its large restaurant footprint; upgrading its online ordering and delivery technology, which has been lackluster in comparison to its peers; offering a more popular menu.

CORRECTION (November 24, 2020): A previous version of this description incorrectly stated that Pizza Hut, not the chain’s largest U.S. franchisee, filed for bankruptcy. It also misidentified the reasons for Pizza Hut’s downward trajectory.

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Why Pizza Hut Fell Behind In The Pizza Wars

[kimberlykay]

Pizza Hut’s food quality and customer service went down while their prices went up. Bad combination.

[mistahac]

They didn't adapt. There are so many better pizza restaurants everywhere these days

[josephmatlockjr]

It's simple: Quality went down as prices went way up. That's a business killer.

[geddoe]

Growing up, pizza hut was the "gourmet" pizza in the family. Even though it was pricier, it actually tasted better...but now....it doesn;t. plain and simple

[dirtycommie]

I remember as a kid hearing peers blurt out "eewww" whenever an adult even alluded to using Dominos for Pizza. Back then Pizza Hut was the superior chain and nobody came close. My oh my how times have changed.

[jakeperkins]

Short answer: declining product quality, increasing prices. They literally ship frozen dough discs to their chains and add toppings. Pizzas aren’t even made on site.

[kinnyboy]

This is an easy answer
1. Taste went down, yet prices went up
2. Buffets became less popular (they made a lot off those CiCis style buffet)
3. For years they didn’t deliver (at least in my area) so people got more accustomed with other pizza places

[mrhateme]

Growing up in the 90's, Pizza Hut was the superior spot. Dining in was second to none. When you walk in the smell just draws you in. Salad bar was solid, and pizza choice was incredible. But around 2005 I noticed a stark change in the quality of the food. They should have never messed with the recipe.

[randomguy]

when $5 pizza is better than your product, you know youre in trouble.

[bryku]

It's funny how 90% of this video is about tech... but honestly tech doesn't matter if you don't know how to make a good pizza.

[CamdenMcInnis]

Yeah, when you charge $25.00 for a medium pizza you're going to lose customers.

[The_A_Cast]

I’m my honest opinion, Pizza Hut had the best pizza ever! Then it was like something changed. The taste changed, and not long after the franchise here in the town where I live closed down completely.

[jakenguyen]

Their pizza doesn’t taste good anymore. Their pizza quality was not of that in the past.

[umairahmad]

Pizza Hut’s food quality went down hill over the years

[guardiabreak]

They charge too much, take too long, and all for a pizza I can find in the frozen section of walmart for half the price.

[LifeAdviceSite]

We used to order an extra cheese pizza every Friday. Then one day I paid for extra cheese but didn’t get it. They had the audacity to tell me the extra cheese I’d paid for was there when it absolutely was not. We also ordered family pasta once a week until they suddenly cut the portion in half (charging the same of course). That did it for me.

[MrPJBarney]

Pizza Hut: "No one out pizzas the hut."

All other pizza chains: ...

[youngrosie]

Pizza Hut turned into Dominos and Doninos turned into Pizza Hut.

[Jerry-mefy]

They've been using cheap frozen dough since 2005 that's pre made to keep up with the competition. It's similar to the original recipe but not the same and it's cheaper like i said. Back in the 90s for example when alot of you guys remember eating at Pizza Hut they made there own fresh dough right in the restaurant. Just watch the 80s Pizza Hut training video on YouTube

[SalivatingSteve]

I stopped going to Pizza Hut when their franchisee started charging an extra “California service fee” instead of just raising prices. A bait and switch on their prices. Plus their pizza quality is not as good as it was in the 90s.