History of Pizza Hut

In 1958, Dan and Frank Carney, two brothers and students at Wichita State University, established the inaugural Pizza Hut in Wichita, Kansas. Since that time, the company has experienced significant global expansion. With its headquarters located in Plano, Texas, Pizza Hut is projected to operate 19,866 locations worldwide by 2023.

The Carney brothers opened their first restaurant while still attending university, and within a year, they had successfully launched six additional locations. In 1963, architect George Lindstrom from Chicago designed the brand’s iconic appearance, and the franchising model was introduced in 1959. The rapid growth of Pizza Hut led to its transformation into Tricon Global Restaurants, Inc., which was later renamed Yum! Brands, following its acquisition by PepsiCo in 1977.

In 2002, they became the current owners of the brand. Pizza Hut has consistently been a leader in innovation, introducing new offerings such as the stuffed crust pizza in 1995 and the pioneering online ordering platform, PizzaNet, in 1994. Over the years, the company has diversified its restaurant formats, including hybrid locations, family-style dining, and carry-out services. It has also adapted its menu to cater to local tastes in international markets. Despite facing challenges such as changes in franchise operations and the closure of numerous dine-in establishments in the United States, Pizza Hut remains a significant player in the global fast food industry, renowned for its inventive products and marketing strategies.

The first Pizza Hut welcomed customers on May 31, 1958, thanks to the efforts of brothers Dan and Frank Carney. They opened a second location just six months later, and by the end of that year, they had established six operational outlets.

An early employee of the company was Bill Parcells, a former football player at Wichita State University who later became a Pro Football Hall of Fame head coach. Although he contemplated a career in club ownership while attending law school, Parcells ultimately chose to pursue a path as a head coach.