SteelClip49
6/19/2009, 02:42 PM
Pizza Hut to change its name?
The iconic restaurant chain is reportedly set to slice pizza from its name in a bid to spice up its image.
[Related content: food and beverage, investing strategy, economy, recession, Yum Brands]
By Catherine Holahan
MSN Money
Blame recession cuts. Pizza Hut reportedly is slicing the "pizza" from its name. The fast food chain will now be known simply as "The Hut."
The chain, which has recently expanded its menu beyond pizza to include pasta, could not immediately be reached for comment Friday. Media and advertising trade publication MediaWeek characterized the name change as an attempt to transform its stores into hip hangouts. There are more than 10,000 Pizza Huts worldwide.
The new "hut" stores will be more than a place to simply pick up some take-out, according to MediaWeek. They will include televisions that broadcast CBS programs such as "Wheel of Fortune" and "Entertainment Tonight."
The company has tried to become more hip and youth-friendly in recent months. In April, it introduced the Pizza Hut "Twintern," an employee who uses the online service Twitter to update customers about store events and pop culture news.
This isn't the first time for Pizza Hut parent Yum Brands (YUM, news, msgs) to change the name of one of its iconic restaurant chains, which include Taco Bell stores. In 1991, the company rebranded Kentucky Fried Chicken as KFC.
Recently, to highlight KFC's healthier, grilled chicken offerings, the company has referred to that brand as KGC.
The iconic restaurant chain is reportedly set to slice pizza from its name in a bid to spice up its image.
[Related content: food and beverage, investing strategy, economy, recession, Yum Brands]
By Catherine Holahan
MSN Money
Blame recession cuts. Pizza Hut reportedly is slicing the "pizza" from its name. The fast food chain will now be known simply as "The Hut."
The chain, which has recently expanded its menu beyond pizza to include pasta, could not immediately be reached for comment Friday. Media and advertising trade publication MediaWeek characterized the name change as an attempt to transform its stores into hip hangouts. There are more than 10,000 Pizza Huts worldwide.
The new "hut" stores will be more than a place to simply pick up some take-out, according to MediaWeek. They will include televisions that broadcast CBS programs such as "Wheel of Fortune" and "Entertainment Tonight."
The company has tried to become more hip and youth-friendly in recent months. In April, it introduced the Pizza Hut "Twintern," an employee who uses the online service Twitter to update customers about store events and pop culture news.
This isn't the first time for Pizza Hut parent Yum Brands (YUM, news, msgs) to change the name of one of its iconic restaurant chains, which include Taco Bell stores. In 1991, the company rebranded Kentucky Fried Chicken as KFC.
Recently, to highlight KFC's healthier, grilled chicken offerings, the company has referred to that brand as KGC.