Pizza Hut to Close 250 U.S. Stores; Yum! to Evaluate Brand Future

Pizza Hut will close 250 U.S. stores by June 30, 2026, as part of a restructuring under parent company Yum! Brands (YUM). The decision follows a significant decline in same-store sales and shifting consumer preferences, with the move aimed at improving operational efficiency and reallocating resources. The closures are expected to reduce annualized U.S. operating expenses by about $100 million, according to Yum's guidance. Yum has not yet announced a definitive plan for the future of the Pizza Hut brand, but the restructuring reflects ongoing assessment of its long-term strategy.