Going from the baseball game to Pizza Hut was one of my favorite moments growing up. The all you can eat buffet, the triangle peg game at every table, and for a while some locations even had a few gaming tables where you could play Galaga. Even schools knew that the personal pizza prize was the highlight of any event. Libraries would offer personal pan pizza’s to kids for completing their summer reading lists. Pizza Hut helped shape my love for pizza from the very beginning.
As the years passed Pizza Hut has declined. Many locations moved away from the buffet. Covid also helped drive a nail in that coffin. The last memorable campaign I remembered, that at the time seemed life changing, was their stuffed crust pizza. Fan for life, but that was introduced in 95. The few buildings that are around now are either small hubs for picking up pizzas, or the original old style Pizza Hut stores that sigh please remember us, as you pass by in your car. They seemed to be embracing the end, begging to join the ranks of Radio Shack, Blockbuster, and Toys ‘R’ Us.
I just found out Pizza Hut is finally starting to implement changes. They are offering a New Hand Tossed Crust. It’s a lighter crust with a new garlic seasoning that is delicious! Updating their crust may be the sign we are looking for. Pizza Hut is showing that it is willing to change to bring us back. I want the stores to reflect the nostalgia, but not by simply leaving the same booths in there that have been there since the 90’s. I’m hoping they go for a hard hitting nostalgic vibe that sends us reeling. Revitalize the stores, bring just a hint of life back to them, and I will gladly join the pizza hut ranks again!
I am hopeful that the changes they make will inspire them to make a few more. Go bold Pizza Hut! I’m rooting for you!!
