PIZZA Hut is rolling out new digital ordering screens across all 136 of its dine-in restaurants, a move that could make over 100 staff members redundant.
The pizza chain, which employs 3,000 staff, is set to cut 120 front-end roles as part of the shake-up.
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The new terminals at the front of restaurants will make it quicker for customers to order.
A letter to staff at risk of redundancy said: “Over the coming months we are introducing new customer-facing technologies across our restaurants, including digital ordering through QR codes and the installation of in-store kiosks.
“These changes are designed to enhance the customer experience and allow guests to be more self-sufficient when dining with us.”
Other chains such as Wetherspoons and Nando’s have already installed similar screens or offer QR code ordering from the table.
Emily Curtis from DC London Pie, which owns Pizza Hut UK’s dine-in restaurants, explained that the decision to cut jobs is due to more than 60% of in-store orders now being placed digitally.
She said the company has invested heavily in new technologies to keep up with changing customer preferences.
“As part of this journey, we are adapting our staffing model, particularly in our front-of-house teams,” she added.
“While these decisions are never easy, they are necessary to ensure we continue meeting customer expectations and stay competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
“We are committed to supporting affected team members and will work closely with those impacted to help them find new opportunities within the wider Pizza Hut network.”
The dine-in arm of the restaurant was rescued by private equity firm Directional Capital, which created DC London Pie Ltd to take over the franchise.
It saved 3,000 jobs and saw the closure of one restaurant.
It is separate to the delivery side of the chain, which is owned by Yum! Brands, the US firm that owns KFC.
Pizza Hut first arrived in the UK in 1973 and quickly became a favourite with diners.
At its height, the chain operated over 260 restaurants nationwide, employing 10,000 staff and welcoming three million customers each month.
Some of its most notable creations include the introduction of the pan pizza in 1980, the stuffed crust in 1995, and the re-launch of the pan pizza as the grand pan in 1998.
Pan pizzas are baked in a deep, oil-coated dish, giving the crust a deliciously crispy, golden edge and a lightly fried texture on the bottom.
Like many businesses, Pizza Hut faced challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.
To manage its financial difficulties, the company entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) – a deal with lenders to cut costs and stay afloat.
At the time, Pizza Hut had over 240 locations across the UK but was forced to close 29 branches as part of the restructuring plan.
What are my rights if I’m made redundant?
YOU are entitled to statutory redundancy pay if you have worked for your employer for two years or more.
The statutory rate is based on your age, weekly pay and number of years in the job.
You will get:
- Half a week’s pay for each full year you worked aged under 22
- One week’s pay for each full year you worked aged 22 or older, but under 41
- One and half week’s pay for each full year you worked while aged 41 or older.
You cannot be paid less than the statutory amount.
If you were made redundant on or after April 6 2025, your weekly pay is capped at £719 and the maximum statutory redundancy pay you can get is £21,570.
The government has a calculator on its website to help you work out how much you are owed.
You may get more than this statutory amount if your employer has a redundancy scheme.
HOSPITALITY WOES
The hospitality sector has struggled to bounce back after the pandemic, facing challenges including soaring energy bills, inflation and staff shortages.
In January 2023, Byron Burger fell into administration with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs.
Around 12 branches were saved in a rescue deal with Tristar Foods, which is owned by Calveton.
The Restaurant Group (TRG), which owned Frankie & Benny’s, Chiquito and Wagamama, shut dozens of sites in the same year.
It then went on to sell its Frankie & Bennys and Chiquito brands to Cafe Rouge owner The Big Table group in September 2023.
Italian restaurant chain Prezzo also closed dozens of sites in the same year.
In April 2024, Tasty, the owners of Italian restaurant Wildwood and Dim T, a pan-Asian restaurant, announced plans to exit 20 loss-making restaurants.
In the same month, Whitbread revealed plans to slash its chain of branded restaurants across the UK.
Meanwhile, TGI Fridays was forced to close 35 locations immediately after falling into administration last October.
However, 51 restaurants were rescued through a last-minute pre-pack deal with private equity firms Breal Capital and Calveton UK.