LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Yum! Brands plans to close roughly 250 underperforming Pizza Hut locations in the U.S. in the first half of 2026.
According to our partners at Louisville Business First, the closures are part of the company’s Hut Forward initiative, aimed at modernizing stores, boosting marketing and revising franchise agreements.
Pizza Hut, which operates about 20,000 restaurants worldwide, posted a 1% same-store sales decline last year in the U.S., lagging Yum’s faster-growing Taco Bell and KFC brands.
Yum is conducting a strategic review of Pizza Hut, which could include selling the brand. CEO Chris Turner said the review is “proceeding as planned."
Despite the closures, Yum continues to invest in its Louisville headquarters, filing permits for a $12 million renovation at PNC Tower and planning to relocate about 550 employees later this year.
Executives said they remain confident in Yum’s business, pointing to growth at Taco Bell and KFC and continued investment in new restaurants and digital sales.
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