EG Group and Pizza Hut partner to expand Pizza Hut footprint into petrol forecourt space

Pizza Hut and EG Group, a leading convenience retailer, today announce their new franchising partnership to expand Pizza Hut’s footprint into the ‘on-the-go’ travel market.

As a franchisee, EG Group will operate eight new Pizza Hut stores in petrol forecourt stations across the UK by the end of 2021.

The expansion will bring investment to local communities, creating approximately 90 jobs and growth opportunities for new and existing team members. The first EG Group-operated store is due to open in the Hartlepool area in the coming weeks.

As a franchisee, EG Group will keep Pizza Hut’s signature branding and familiar menu while providing a new option for customers to order on the go. This will allow Pizza Hut Delivery to further adapt its offerings in line with customer demand and the wider industry trend towards convenience.

This is Pizza Hut’s latest partnership to further grow the brand across the UK and Europe. One year ago, Pizza Hut announced plans to open 125 new locations over a three-year period – creating around 2,000 additional jobs.

Innovating by the slice

Pizza Hut is always striving to deliver exciting new offerings for customers – thanks to the EG Group partnership Pizza Hut products will now be readily available for customers on-the-go and by the slice across a number of EG Group’s petrol filling stations.

EG Group-operated stores will offer five classic flavours including Margherita, Pepperoni, Supreme, Meat Feast, and Veggie Supreme, as well as newer addition the Beyond Meat Supreme pizza.

The EG Group stores will cater for varied dietary requirements, including the Beyond Meat Supreme and vegetarian options.

Pizza Hut is constantly investing in new ways to delight its customers and regularly brings exciting, innovative products to its menu. Along with its slice-based model at EG Group locations, Pizza Hut Delivery also launched the Beyond Meat meat-free range this year, as well as the roast dinner pizza. Pizza Hut continues to respond to consumer demand with options including lower-calorie flatbreads as well as providing calorie information on the website.

Neil Manhas, General Manager at Pizza Hut Delivery in the UK, commented: “We are extremely excited to partner with EG Group to create further opportunities for our communities and continue investing in the brand our fans know and love. EG Group has a wealth of experience in forecourt retail, in operating food service and their expertise as a global leader in this specific type of retail makes them the ideal partner to lead us into this new market.

“This partnership demonstrates our commitment to adapting to customer demand by expanding our offerings. This wouldn’t be possible without the incredible work of each of our franchisees and Team Members, who have helped us continue to grow following the pandemic. I appreciate their dedication to the Pizza Hut brand”.

Mohammed Tayab, Food & Beverage Director – Europe at EG Group, said: “We are proud to be partnering with Pizza Hut to bring yet another global food service brand to our customers in convenient locations across the UK. We are excited to build on our existing relationship with Yum!, as we already work with KFC and operate a large number of restaurants across the EG Group estate. We look forward to trialling the pizza by the slice proposition and making it a resounding success.”

Franchising partnerships: growing together

Pizza Hut has operated as a franchisor in the UK since 1973 and now operates 600 Huts across the UK. This partnership builds on Pizza Hut’s position as the franchisor of choice, enabling franchisees to develop, run and invest in successful businesses.

This focus on innovation and growth has been a success with UK customers. During the height of lockdown in 2020, Pizza Hut Delivery UK delivered more than 565,000 additional meals (March – early July) than in the same period in 2019. The strategy has paid off in the long-term, with Pizza Hut Delivery enjoying double digit year-on-year sales growth in the second half of 2020, with sales continuing to grow throughout 2021.