About Us

Our Timeline (1958 - 1978)

1958:
The first Pizza Hut® restaurant opens in Wichita, Kansas, started by two college-aged brothers who borrowed $600 from their mother.

1959:
Pizza Hut is incorporated in Kansas and the first franchise unit opens in Topeka, Kansas.

1965:
"Putt-Putt to Pizza Hut" musical jingle developed for Pizza Hut's first television commercial.

1967:
A Pizza Hut restaurant was built in five days by franchisees at the Oklahoma State Fair.

World's largest pizza (six feet in diameter) is baked and served at the grand opening of a Fort Worth, Texas Pizza Hut® restaurant.

1968:
International market entered with opening of Pizza Hut restaurant in Canada.

Pizza Hut serves a million people a week at its 310 locations.

1969:
Red roof adopted for restaurants.

First Pizza Hut restaurant opens in Mexico. Construction begins in Munich, Germany and Australia.

1970:
Sandwiches added to basic menu of Thin 'N Crispy® pizza, salad, beer and soft drinks.

First restaurant opened in Australia.

1971:
Pizza Hut becomes the number one pizza restaurant chain in the world in both sales and number of restaurants.

1972:
Pizza Hut, Inc. listed on New York Stock Exchange under the symbol PIZ.

Pizza Hut restaurant number 1,000 opens in Wichita, KS. A unit opens in Costa Rica.

1973:
Pizza Hut restaurants open in Japan and England.

1975:
Thick'n Chewy® pizza introduced.

Chatsworth, CA Pizza Hut restaurant is used in the filming of "The Bad News Bears."

1976:
The 100th international Pizza Hut restaurant is opened in Australia, while entire system reaches 2,000.

1977:
Pizza Hut, Inc. stockholders overwhelmingly approve merger with PepsiCo, Inc. for an undisclosed sum.

Super Supreme is introduced nationwide.

Pizza Hut opens its 3,000th unit in Arlington, Texas.

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There's nothing quite like Pizza Hut's service.

Beer and Wings. A great combination.