EAST TENNESSEE (WVLT) – Some Pizza Hut locations are bringing back the staples of the brand’s retro era, and two locations in East Tennessee (the only in the Volunteer State) are going back in time.
On May 20, Yum! Brands, Pizza Hut’s owner, announced some locations would be re-outfitted with the red cups, checkered tablecloths, vinyl booths, Tiffany-style lamps and classic arcade games classic fans may remember. It’s part of an initiative to get people back in the door, rather than ordering dinner on the phone.
Tennessee’s only two participating locations, as of writing, are in Oneida (19945 N. Alberta Ave.) and Sweetwater (788 Highway 68).
Yum! cited customers’ desires for retro dining for the change.
“As the saying goes, ‘what’s old is new again,’” a company announcement said. “The renewed interest in nostalgic food and experiences reflect a broader cultural trend. In Collider Lab’s 2026 Food Trends Report, consumers described turning to food for “small, sensory, everyday acts” that provide comfort, emotional grounding and a sense of control in an increasingly chaotic world.”
More Pizza Hut locations are expected to “go retro” in the future.
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