The End of an Era: Discontinued products, services, and defunct companies

[Owain Taggart]

Pizza Hut is planning on closing 250 locations in the United States, while its parent company, Yum Brands, is considering selling off the remaining locations to a third party.

Not surprised. Their haydays were the 80's and 90's when they still had their sitdown locations. Former locations all over the place seem to be taken over by different restauraunts. And if any of them are still left, they've most likely been downgraded to takeout only locations.

 

[tharpdevenport]

The reason they're closing is because Domino's, Papa John's, etc have overtaken Pizza Hut in terms of market share.
Pizza Hut used to be number one.
Now they're dead last.

It's a shame. I'll say it again: for what it is -- fast food pizza -- it's good pizza. But Domino's re-formulation yeas back is almost on par with it now, and Little Caesars must have re-done their pizza's, too, because I had some slices last year and it's much improved -- pretty much just as good as Pizza Hut. Papa John's, mediocre pizza. Hungry Howie's, crap pizza that tastes like filler and is mostly bread.

We got some Pizza Hut places in my county, and you can sit in and order.

 

[DarrenTR1970]

You can go on to YouTube, type in Pizza Hut and get about a half dozen videos on why the Pizza Hut brand is failing; some as old as four years.
So, its decline has been happening for a while now.

 

[Troi]

Well we still have Pizza Hut, China.

Who knows how long it has left, its all gimmicks and absurd prices.

 

[Set Harth]

Is that... real?

 

[DarrenTR1970]

Well we still have Pizza Hut, China.

Who knows how long it has left, its all gimmicks and absurd prices.

That's just it though - Pizza Hut is the biggest pizza chain in Asia and Europe, dwarfing Domino's, Papa John, etc.
The problem is that they focused on expanding the brand overseas at the expense of their home turf.
That's what hurt them.
Overseas Pizza Hut isn't going anywhere.

 

[tharpdevenport]

That must be the Kermit special.

 

[Troi]

Is that... real?

Yes! they (and all the other usa fast food in China) do all kinds of FOMO gimmicks so I don't think you can get it anymore. Interestingly though, I looked at their menu once and their non pizza offerings (steak, shrimp, pasta, ect) outnumber their pizza offerings.