Thousands of staff at aerospace firm Leonardo have walked out in a dispute over pay, on the first of a number of planned days of strike action.

Hundreds of workers took to picket lines at the company’s site in Edinburgh, while similar scenes are understood to have taken place at the firm’s sites throughout Scotland and England.

The walk-out came after workers rejected a 3.6% pay offer from the firm, which the Unite union said was “well below” inflation and so a real terms pay cut.

The union added that this came at a time Leonardo UK is making hundreds of millions of pounds in profit each year.

Workers on the picket line in Edinburgh gathered at the entrances to the site on Crewe Road North, waving placards and red Unite banners, and cheering whenever passing cars beeped their horns in support.

They were also asking delivery vehicles not to cross the picket line, and many – including a Royal Mail van – elected to turn around rather than do so.

One striker told the PA news agency many more workers were staying at home, and that production at the site had “stopped”.

Unite regional officer Carrie Binnie said it was the first walk-out at the company for 35 years.

“Leonardo have offered a below-inflation pay rise for their staff, and this has been rejected twice now,” she said.

“They did make an improvement last week, but it was still well below inflation, and that’s been rejected a second time.

“We had really hoped that they would come back to the table, renegotiate, meet our demands, and they’ve failed to do so, hence why we’re out on strike today.”

Ms Binnie added that the Unite union was happy to speak to the company “at any time”, and that it was willing to put any improved offer to its members.

“I like to think when Unite members take such a drastic step to take industrial action, it does refocus management on why their staff are their biggest asset and why they’re needed most,” she said.

“So if they’ve been impacted by today’s action, they should come back to the table and speak with us.”

She also acknowledged that strike action is “extremely difficult” for Unite’s members, and that the union had “tried really hard” to avoid it.

“We work really hard to negotiate with employers and get members fair deals, and usually, most employers will reach a negotiating stage, which goes through positively with their members,” she explained.

“To be forced to take action such as this is extremely difficult for our members to do, but unless Leonardo come forward with something fair that’s not a pay cut for our members, then there’s no other choice for them.”

Strikes are due at Leonardo facilities in Yeovil, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Basildon and Luton on November 12 and 13.

There will be further strikes at Edinburgh and Basildon on several dates running up to November 25.

At the Yeovil site, there will be further strikes on November 25 to 28.

A Leonardo spokesperson said: “We are obviously disappointed that the revised pay offer negotiated by senior Unite representatives and supported by full time Unite officials on behalf of Leonardo members has not been positively received by the membership.

“Strike action is now inevitable for our Leonardo UK Basildon, Edinburgh, Luton, Newcastle and Yeovil sites.

“We have taken all steps possible to minimise disruption to our business and our customers.

“We would welcome Unite back to the table in a bid to reach a resolution.”

India is poised to become the epicentre of global oil demand growth over the next decade, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its latest Global Energy Outlook 2025, citing rapid economic expansion, industrialisation, and rising vehicle ownership as key drivers of energy consumption.According to the Paris-based agency, India’s energy demand is projected to rise by an average of 3% annually till 2035, the fastest among all emerging markets and developing economies, PTI reported. The country will account for the largest increase in global oil consumption through 2035, surpassing China and Southeast Asia combined.“China accounted for more than 75% of oil demand growth over the past decade, but this picture is changing. India becomes the new epicentre of growth in oil demand,” the IEA said.India’s oil use is expected to rise from 5.5 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2024 to 8 mbpd by 2035, driven by growing car ownership, demand for plastics and chemicals, aviation fuel, and increased LPG use for cooking. Nearly half of all additional global oil demand till 2035 will come from India alone, the agency noted.Import dependence to deepenDespite government efforts to boost domestic production, India’s oil import dependency is set to climb from 87% in 2024 to 92% by 2035, the IEA projected. However, the country’s expanding refining capacity — expected to grow from 6 mbpd in 2024 to 7.5 mbpd by 2035 — will position it as a key exporter of transport fuels.“Since 2022, India has emerged as a global swing supplier, refining Russian crude oil that previously went to Europe,” the report said. With 9 mbpd of new refining capacity expected globally between 2024 and 2035, Asia will lead the expansion, with India contributing the largest share.Gas and coal outlookIndia’s natural gas demand is projected to nearly double to 140 billion cubic metres (bcm) by 2035, led by growth in city-gas distribution. LNG imports are also expected to surge, reaching 50 bcm by 2035, up from 35 bcm currently.Coal production, meanwhile, will continue to rise in India — even as it declines globally — increasing by around 50 million tonnes of coal equivalent (Mtce) by 2035. The IEA said this will help limit the growth of coal imports despite strong domestic demand. Coal India Ltd’s expansion of the Gevra mine to 70 million tonnes per year will make it Asia’s largest coal mine, with 36 new mines also planned over the next five years.Energy leadership beyond oilThe IEA described India as “the biggest driver of growth in global energy demand”, with overall consumption projected to rise by over 15 exajoules by 2035 — nearly equal to the combined increase of China and Southeast Asia.India’s GDP is expected to grow at over 6% annually, with transport and industry leading the rise in fuel use. The country’s carbon emissions are likely to peak around 2040 at roughly 3.4 gigatonnes per year.India, which has pledged to achieve net zero by 2070, has already met its target of 50% non-fossil power capacity five years ahead of schedule, in 2025. The share of renewables in installed capacity is projected to reach 60% by 2030 and 70% by 2035, accounting for 95% of new power additions.Solar and wind will make up nearly one-fifth of India’s total energy mix by 2050, the IEA said, adding that solar PV has already attracted $113 billion in investment over the past decade, outpacing fossil fuel projects.

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:

Year	US Sales ($ bn)	Total Market Size ($ bn)	Pizza Hut Share (%)
2010	5.4	32	16.9
2012	5.4	35	15.4
2015	5.4	38	14.2
2018	5.5	42	13.1
2020	5.38	45	11.9
2021	5.4	46	11.7
2022	5.27	47	11.2
2023	5.6	49	11.4
2024	5.5	50	11

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.

Read More