Pizza Hut to expand into petrol forecourts with eight sites planned through new EG franchise

Pizza Hut and forecourt operator EG Group have announce a franchising partnership to expand Pizza Hut's footprint into petrol forecourts.

As a franchisee, EG Group will operate eight new Pizza Hut stores in petrol forecourt stations across the UK by the end of 2021. The first EG Group-operated store is due to open in the Hartlepool area in the coming weeks.

EG will keep Pizza Hut's branding and menu while providing a new option for customers to order on the go – pizza available by the slice.

One year ago, Pizza Hut announced plans to open 125 new locations over a three-year period – creating around 2,000 additional jobs.

Neil Manhas, general manager at Pizza Hut Delivery in the UK, said: "We are extremely excited to partner with EG Group to create further opportunities for our communities and continue investing in the brand our fans know and love. EG Group has a wealth of experience in forecourt retail, in operating food service and their expertise as a global leader in this specific type of retail makes them the ideal partner to lead us into this new market."

Mohammed Tayab, food and beverage director for Europe at EG Group, said: "We are proud to be partnering with Pizza Hut to bring yet another global food service brand to our customers in convenient locations across the UK. We are excited to build on our existing relationship with Yum!, as we already work with KFC and operate a large number of restaurants across the EG Group estate. We look forward to trialling the pizza by the slice proposition and making it a resounding success."

Pizza Hut has operated as a franchisor in the UK since 1973 and operates 600 Huts across the UK, employing over 14,000 people, including over 350 Pizza Hut Delivery locations. Pizza Hut Delivery in the UK is part of Pizza Hut Europe. Pizza Hut is part of Yum!, which owns international fast food brands including Taco Bell and KFC.

Photo: Shutterstock / Claudio Divizia