Three letters make all the difference at Hut

Oct 7 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

PIZZA Hut is changing its name to overhaul its image and menu. After 35 years in the UK under the name Pizza Hut, the company will become Pasta Hut.

The rebranding is part of a £100m six-year programme to revamp the chain’s restaurant interiors, introduce a new menu and open more outlets.

This year it has spent more than £17m updating some of its 700-strong UK chain and said a further £24m would be invested in refurbishment and store openings in 2009 and 2010.

In an effort to meet Food Standards Agency (FSA) guidelines it has introduced a pasta menu and made some current recipes healthier.

In 2004 the company started reducing salt in its food and it says it is working to meet the FSA’s salt targets for 2010. Saturated fat is being removed from meals.

The children’s menu will now include “hidden vegetables” and a complimentary side salad.

Chief executive Alasdair Murdoch said: “We have made significant changes to the business over the past few years and we wanted to create a moment in time for people to sit back and take notice.

“With 120 refurbished stores, the introduction of a great new pasta range to the menu and big nutritional changes, I am confident that people will like what they see when they come into our restaurants.”

Its online business, launched in March last year, took its millionth order last June. Online orders are now 18% of delivery sales.