Pizza Hut inks franchising deal with Nine Group

Nine Group will be the franchisee for 31 existing Delivery and Express Huts and will open 40 new locations.

Pizza Hut Delivery announced a partnership with hospitality company Nine Group that will see the latter become the franchisee for 31 existing Pizza Hut Delivery and Express Huts.

This new partnership will also see Nine Group expand the pizza chain Pizza Hut by opening 30 Delivery and 10 Express Huts in the next three years, creating 800 new jobs.

The first new Hut is due to open in the Merryhill Centre in Dudley as an Express store in December.
 
The move is part of the Pizza Hut Delivery announced plans last November 2020 to open 125 new locations over a three-year period.

Neil Manhas, General Manager at Pizza Hut Delivery in the UK, said: “We are so excited to be partnering with Nine Group to grow our business, create opportunities for our Team Members and continue investing in our brand. They have a great track record of success in the hotel business and their growth mindset and commitment to customer excellence makes them well placed to continue to grow with Pizza Hut Delivery.”

Vivek Chadha, Managing Director at Nine Group, added, “This partnership gives Nine Group the chance to diversify into an area which has seen significant growth during the pandemic and we are thrilled to be working with Pizza Hut, benefiting from a strong brand with a heritage of innovation.”