Hidden Facts About Pizza Hut You Didn’t Know

Pizza lovers everywhere associate the brand with delicious, cheesy pies. As a leading global pizza chain, Pizza Hut has been delighting customers for over 60 years. With operations in 86 countries and more than 10,000 outlets, they offer a wide variety of customizable pizzas, catering to vegetarians and meat enthusiasts alike.

Origins
Founded in 1958 by brothers Dan and Frank Carney during their time at Wichita State University, Pizza Hut began with a borrowed $600 from their mother. Their first franchise opened in Topeka, Kansas, just a year later. Their first TV ad aired in 1965.

Original Logo and Mascot
Initially, Pizza Hut featured a mascot called Pizza Pete—a cartoon chef with a mustache, wearing a hat, apron, and neckerchief. This character appeared on cups, bags, and ads before being replaced by the iconic red roof logo.

Unique Perfume Collection
In a surprising move, Pizza Hut launched limited-edition perfumes that smelled like fresh dough and spices. These fragrances were given to select fans in Canada via Facebook and during Valentine’s Day in the U.S., and some even sold for $495 on eBay.

Promotion of Reading
Pizza Hut initiated the Book It program, encouraging children to read by rewarding them with pizza. The program now has over 60 million participants, making it the longest-running corporate-supported reading initiative in the country.

Space Food Delivery
In 2001, Pizza Hut became the first food company to deliver to space, successfully sending pizzas to the International Space Station after ensuring their recipes could withstand extreme thermal conditions.

Online Ordering Pioneer
Pizza Hut also led the way in digital ordering, launching PizzaNet in 1994, in collaboration with SCO, allowing customers to place orders online for the first time.

Today, Pizza Hut serves approximately four million customers daily worldwide. Their success stems from continuous innovation, updating their menu to match evolving tastes and preferences.