Pizza Hut in the UK is planning to shut down 68 restaurants and 11 delivery sites, resulting in the loss of 1,210 jobs. The franchisee of Pizza Hut dine-in restaurants, DC London Pie Limited, has appointed FTI Consulting as administrators. Yum! Brands, the global owner of Pizza Hut, has agreed to save 64 locations and 1,277 jobs through a pre-pack administration process.
A pre-pack administration involves finalizing the sale of a business or its assets before the administration officially commences. Pizza Hut UK has announced the acquisition of the Pizza Hut dine-in operations through a pre-packaged administration, ensuring the continuity of 64 sites and the protection of associated jobs. Around 1,277 team members, including leaders and support teams, will transition to the new Yum! equity business under UK TUPE legislation.
Nicolas Burquier, Managing Director of Pizza Hut Europe and Canada, emphasized the importance of maintaining operational continuity at the acquired locations and supporting colleagues during the transition. Directional Capital took over 139 Pizza Hut restaurants in January 2025, saving 3,000 jobs after the previous operator, Heart with Smart Limited, faced financial difficulties.
DC London Pie, established by Directional Capital to operate Pizza Hut restaurants in the UK, has a history dating back to the opening of the first Pizza Hut in the country in 1973. At its peak, the chain operated over 260 restaurants nationwide and employed 10,000 staff. This closure is part of a trend where struggling businesses have announced shutdowns recently, with Poundland and Bodycare also facing challenges and closing stores.