Pizza Hut is set to close more than 250 “underperforming” locations across the country, according to information shared by its parent company, Yum! Brands Inc.
During a Feb. 4 Yum! Brands earnings call, Chief Financial Officer Ranjith Roy said the move was part of “Hut Forward,” a strategy which includes “vibrant marketing, modernization of technology, and franchise agreements.”
“While we don’t share specific details of franchise agreements, we are pleased to be working in partnership with our franchisees on increased efforts to deliver near-term sales while advancing long-term strategy,” Yum! Brands told Restaurant Business Online in an emailed statement.
Here’s what we know.
Why is Pizza Hut closing locations?
Yum! Brands announced the initiation of “a formal review of strategic options for the Pizza Hut brand” back in November 2025, mentioning a sale as a possibility.
Yum! Brands CEO Chris Turner said in the news release, “The Pizza Hut team has been working hard to address business and category challenges; however, Pizza Hut’s performance indicates the need to take additional action to help the brand realize its full value, which may be better executed outside of Yum! Brands.”
At the time, Pizza Hut sales had declined by 7% in the U.S.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, Pizza Hut sales declined by 3%, while other Yum! Brands restaurants, like Taco Bell, saw sales increases of 7% during the same quarter.
When are Pizza Hut locations closing? Where?
The closures are set to take place in the first half of 2026, according to Yum! Brands.
The company has not released a closure list, as of Feb. 5.
Pizza Hut locations in Illinois
Pizza Hut has 166 restaurants across Illinois. Residents can find a nearby location on the chain’s website.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Pizza Hut to close hundreds of ‘underperforming’ locations in 2026. See why
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall and Fernando Cervantes Jr., Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
