Pizza Hut

Technology

Taco Bell's owner is working with the chipmaker Nvidia on AI

Yum Brands, which also owns KFC, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger, said it is collaborating with the technology company to integrate AI into the chains’ restaurants.

Marketing

Pizza Hut introduces Pizza Charcuterie in celebration of Pi Day

Instead of the usual $3.14 specials, The Plano, Texas-based pizza chain asks fans to strut their creativity with Instagrammable pie-wings-and-dips boards.

Byte by Yum will consolidate the technology capabilities the company has developed or acquired over the years.

The Bottom Line: How did one of the pizza chain’s largest franchisees fall out of favor with the brand and lose nearly 90% of its value in just three years?

The pizza chain itself is among the buyers who won the right to buy restaurants owned by the bankrupt EYM Group for nearly $12 million. The locations are in Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia and South Carolina.

Parent company Yum Brands terminated the franchisee, IS Gida, saying the operator failed to meet the company’s standards. The franchisee operated more than 500 restaurants in Turkey.

The chain is testing a new restaurant design with a drive-thru, kiosks and mobile order pickup stations. The location also features a “Hut ‘N Go” menu with items ready to go.

The Bottom Line: Major pizza brands like Domino’s, Papa Johns and Pizza Hut are trading share with independents. And fast-casual brands are in decline. The sector has a smaller market, thanks to third-party delivery.

The Mexican chain’s same-store sales rose 4% last quarter. But a host of other brands reported falling sales amid a difficult environment.

Marketing Bites: The chain is offering up a free Moving Box Table, providing a dining spot for those in the midst of a move.

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