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Yum Brands to Close About 250 U.S. Pizza Hut Stores in First Half of 2026

The move launches Yum’s Hut Forward overhaul tied to a strategic review that could end in a sale this year.

Overview

  • Executives said the closures will focus on underperforming U.S. locations, and the company has not released a list of specific stores.
  • The Hut Forward plan includes new marketing support, modernization of technology, updated franchise agreements, and a one‑time marketing contribution from Yum.
  • Yum’s formal review of Pizza Hut’s future remains in progress with a possible sale under consideration and a conclusion expected in 2026.
  • Pizza Hut’s U.S. same‑store sales fell 3% in Q4 2025 and 5% for the year, while international same‑store sales rose about 1% with strength in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
  • The 250 closures represent roughly 3–4% of the U.S. footprint; Yum reported spending about $36 million on the review in 2025 and recorded a $5 million write‑off tied to estate rationalization.