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News
Pizza Hut Grabs Big Slice
"Family-friendly" chain expands as rival falters
PIZZA HUT has announced plans to create 3,500 more jobs in its UK restaurants by expanding its portfolio to 324 eateries.
This news comes as Pizza Express’ sales were revealed to have fallen 9.4% in the first quarter of the year, making it even harder for the troubled chain to find a buyer.
City analysts believe the differing fortunes of the pizza outlets are due to the fact that Pizza Hut is seen as more "family-friendly."
Andrew Saunders, an analyst at Numis Securities, says, "Pizza Express is seen much more as a destination restaurant, whereas Pizza Hut is more middle-market and children-friendly.
Pizza Express doesn’t really cater for young diners. It has a large exposure in London, which hasn’t really been updated and that’s where they have lost out."
Pizza Hut should not be too complacent, however, as easyJet pioneer Stelios Haji-Ioannou has recently announced plans for a new restaurant chain – easyPizza.