Amid several fast food business downsizing, Pizza Hut parent Yum! Brands has announced it will shutter 250 locations. Photo from Umar Andrabi, Pexels.
News Release
PLANO, TEX. — Pizza Hut plans to close 250 underperforming U.S. locations during the first half of 2026 as parent company Yum! Brands continues a broader strategic review of the chain’s future.
“Pizza Hut is a beloved global brand and industry innovator that connects people through the joy of pizza, and we are confident in its long-term future,” said Chris Turner, CEO of Yum! Brands Inc. “To truly take advantage of the brand we’ve built and the opportunities ahead, we’ve made the decision to initiate a thorough review of strategic options.”
The locations affected by these closures have not yet been announced. There are three Pizza Hut restaurants operating in Kosciusko County.
The move follows declining domestic performance, including a 3% drop in U.S. same-store sales in the fourth quarter of 2025 and a 7% decline reported in November.
Yum executives have indicated the review could include a potential sale of the brand as the company evaluates how best to improve long-term value.
“The Pizza Hut team has been working hard to address business and category challenges; however, Pizza Hut’s performance indicates the need to take additional action to help the brand realize its full value, which may be better executed outside of Yum! Brands,” Turner said.
The closures represent a small share of Pizza Hut’s roughly 20,000 global restaurants and are tied to a turnaround strategy focused on marketing, technology modernization and franchise operations.
International results have been stronger.
Same-store sales outside the United States rose 1% last year, supported by growth in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. China remains the company’s second-largest market, generating about one-fifth of Pizza Hut’s sales. The chain ended 2025 with 19,974 global locations, a net decline of 251 stores despite nearly 1,200 openings across 65 countries. Additional international expansion is planned for 2026.
Pizza Hut’s struggles contrast with stronger performance at sister brand Taco Bell, which reported a 7% same-store sales increase in the same quarter. Rival Domino’s also reported U.S. same-store sales growth of 2.7% through the first nine months of last year.
Other restaurant chains, including Noodles & Co., Red Robin and Wendy’s, have also announced plans to close weaker locations in 2026 as the industry shifts focus toward higher-performing stores.
