Pizza Hut Delivery to push forward with Express format

The company's UK and Ireland business, headed up by CEO Raphael Miolane, plans to open a total of 200 new take away stores over the next four years with 50 of them opening under the Express format. 

Miolane told BigHospitality he'd been pleased with the response to the new-look Express store in the food court at Westfield Stratford City and was keen to introduce the re-brand to the other nine already trading as well as new locations. 

"Westfield was probably the genesis of it," he said. "12 months ago I looked at the opportunity and appointed a project team who went on and worked on every consumer touch point - from a new menu board with photography, to new uniform for team members - and today we have a brilliant operating platform. It has been open for two weeks and it is the number one store in my portfolio." 

Express units offer a pared-down menu, designed to be eaten as a quick meal. Current options include four types of personal pan pizzas, which can be served on their own or with sides as part of a meal deal with an average serving time of 90 to 120 seconds. 

Expansion​

Miolane said new Express sites could be in a range of locations, from transport hubs to sports stadiums and petrol stations. However, none have been earmarked as yet. 

"I can't currently tell you where the next one will be, but are having significant conversations with a number of operators," he said. "We will have success and failures, I believe, but we are encouraged by the response to this format." 

Miolane also intends to grow the takeaway business through new franchise partnerships as well as extending existing partnerships.  

“We wouldn’t be where we are today without our franchisees and we are looking forward to growing our existing relationships, whilst also developing new partnerships to achieve our ambitions," he said.  

Pizza Hut's presence in the UK and Ireland is now 700, of which 270 are restaurants.