Pizza Hut to Close 250 U.S. Stores This Year Amid Potential Brand Sale (YUM)

Pizza Hut plans to close 250 U.S. restaurants during the first half of 2026 as Yum Brands evaluates a sale of the brand. The chain, with over 6,000 U.S. locations, is focusing on underperforming stores amid a formal review of options following recent underperformance. Yum noted U.S. same-store sales declined 5% last year, compared to 2.7% growth at rival Domino’s in the first nine months of 2025. Internationally, same-store sales rose 1% last year, led by gains in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with China contributing 19% of sales. Pizza Hut ended 2025 with 19,974 global locations, a 251-store decline from 2024. The company expects more global openings in 2026 but has not provided details. Yum CEO Chris Turner said the review is on track for completion this year.