Pizza Hut is set to close 68 of its restaurants across the UK after the company operating the sites fell into administration, resulting in more than 1,200 job losses.
Administrators confirmed that the closures will also affect 11 dedicated delivery sites, though 64 other Pizza Hut locations will continue to trade. The move comes after the franchisee, which ran a large portion of Pizza Hut’s UK operations, reportedly struggled with rising costs and shifting consumer spending habits.
The company cited increased energy prices, food inflation, and rental costs as key pressures that had made parts of its business unsustainable. Despite efforts to restructure and negotiate with landlords, administrators said the closures were unavoidable to protect the remainder of the chain.
Pizza Hut has been a fixture on the UK high street since the 1970s, but like many casual dining chains, it has faced mounting challenges since the pandemic, including intensified competition from delivery-only brands and fast-casual operators. The firm said it was “deeply saddened” by the impact on staff and is working to redeploy affected employees where possible.
Industry analysts view the announcement as further evidence of the hospitality sector’s ongoing volatility, with several major restaurant chains continuing to downsize amid economic uncertainty.
