Pizza Hut Up For Sale? How Domino’s Outpaced Its Older Rival Across The World

Last Updated:November 12, 2025, 16:36 IST

Yum Brands is reviewing options for Pizza Hut amid declining market share, facing tough competition from Domino’s, and considering sale, partnership, or divestment

Pizza Hut has struggled against Domino’s, which excels with a delivery-first model and strong digital presence.

Yum Brands has announced that it is reviewing strategic options for its flagship pizza brand, Pizza Hut. In a statement last week, CEO Chris Turner indicated that the brand faces persistent challenges that may require measures beyond the current corporate structure to unlock its full potential. While no timeline has been set, potential options could include a sale, partnership, or stake divestment.

Pizza Hut, founded in 1958, has long been a staple alongside Yum’s other brands, KFC and Taco Bell. Despite its legacy, Pizza Hut has struggled to keep pace with competitors, most notably Domino’s, founded just two years later in 1960. While the brand still enjoys a loyal customer base that appreciates its traditional pizza offerings, declining market performance has prompted Yum to consider structural changes.

Declining US Market Share

Pizza Hut’s share of the US pizza market has steadily eroded over the past decade. According to QSR Magazine, Technomic, and Statista, the US pizza market was valued at approximately $50 billion in 2024. Domino’s leads with a commanding 36% market share, while Pizza Hut’s share fell from 22.6% in 2019 to 18.7%. A closer look at historical trends shows a persistent decline:

Several factors have contributed to this decline:

1. Heavy reliance on dine-in operations: Pizza Hut’s traditional focus on sit-down restaurants has become a liability in the post-pandemic era, as consumers increasingly prefer delivery and takeaway. Domino’s, by contrast, has thrived with a delivery-first model.

2. Sustained sales decline: US same-store sales fell 6% by Q3 2025, marking a seven-quarter downward streak. Domino’s, in contrast, reported a 5.2% increase. Globally, Pizza Hut’s performance mirrors this trend, with Turkey closing over 300 stores in January 2025 alone.

3. Quality and menu perception: Customer feedback indicates dissatisfaction with Pizza Hut’s dough, taste, variety, and delivery speed, with some citing recipe changes that dilute the brand’s core identity.

4. Technology and innovation gap: Domino’s investments in digital ordering, real-time tracking, and loyalty incentives have strengthened its customer engagement, while Pizza Hut’s campaigns, such as “Adultzz Only”, failed to resonate.

Pizza Wars in India

The competition between Pizza Hut and Domino’s is equally stark in India. The Indian pizza market, valued at around Rs 45,000 crore in 2025, is dominated by Domino’s, which controls over 60% of the market. Pizza Hut holds roughly 20-25%, placing it second but well behind its rival.

• Store presence: Domino’s operates 2,321 outlets, recently adding 81 new locations. Pizza Hut operates 630-637 stores and added 63 in the same period.
• Revenue: Domino’s revenue is estimated between Rs 8,000-10,000 crore, growing 18.8% year-on-year. Pizza Hut generates Rs 1,500-2,000 crore, with slower growth.
• Same-store sales: Domino’s existing stores reported 9.1% growth, with delivery up 20.1%. Pizza Hut’s existing stores grew only 5%.
• Operator focus: Domino’s India is managed by Jubilant Foodworks, which continues to expand aggressively. Pizza Hut is managed by Sapphire Foods, which also operates KFC, though its focus on Pizza Hut appears limited.

The strategic review by Yum Brands underscores the challenges of sustaining a legacy pizza brand in an era dominated by delivery-centric competitors and tech-driven customer engagement. For Pizza Hut, unlocking growth may require a shift in strategy, ownership, or partnerships to reclaim relevance in both domestic and international markets.

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