DALLAS-(Business Wire)-February 1, 2007 – While millions will be watching the scoreboard during the big game on Sunday, Feb. 4, Pizza Hut(R), America’s Favorite Pizza, will focus its attention on serving customers as they order a record number of pizzas on the company’s busiest day of the year.
As the long-standing tradition of ordering pizza for the big game continues, Pizza Hut is preparing for a jump in business of at least 60-70% compared to a typical Sunday. The world’s largest pizza chain expects to sell more than 2.5 million pizzas — enough to cover more than 50 football fields on Sunday, February 4.
“Just like the teams playing in the game, our Pizza Hut team members have been preparing for weeks for our championship weekend,” said Pat Murtha, Pizza Hut chief operating officer. “We are ready to deliver America’s Favorite Pizza to football fans just as we’ve done for nearly 50 years.”
Pizza Hut will gear-up for the monumental day with all hands on deck during the football weekend. The company will have more employees working than seats in both the RCA Dome and Soldier Field. Additionally, team members at the company’s more than 6,600 restaurants in the United States will keep each other motivated with special game day cheers and chants.
“More than 80% of our delivery and carryout orders on Super Bowl Sunday are expected to occur by halftime, so we recommend ordering early,” said Bill Ogle, Pizza Hut chief marketing officer. “Orders can be placed up to seven days in advance online at pizzahut.com in participating locations or customers can call us early on game day to beat the rush.”
February 4 also marks the return of Cheesy Bites Pizza, the company’s wildly successful pizza innovation last year. Cheesy Bites Pizza has 28 cheese-filled bites individually wrapped in dough and lightly seasoned with garlic butter flavor on the outside, then baked to a golden brown. The cheese bites are connected to surround the pizza and take the place of a traditional crust edge.
For a limited time, Cheesy Bites Pizza is available for $11.99 for a large one-topping pizza.
Additional facts and figures about Pizza Hut’s busiest day:
— If each slice of Pizza Hut pizza sold on Super Bowl Sunday were laid end to end, the pizza trail would stretch the path of the next four Super Bowls (Dolphins Stadium to Glendale, AZ (2008) to Tampa (2009) and back to Miami (2010)).
— If every Pizza Hut employee working on Super Bowl Sunday laid head to toe, they could cover more than 3/4 of the distance between Soldier Field and the RCA Dome.
— Pizza Hut delivery drivers will cover enough miles on Super Bowl Sunday to make 213 trips around earth (5.3 million miles).
— Pizza Hut expects to receive more than 2.5 million phone calls for pizza orders on February 4.
— Pepperoni is the most requested pizza topping, followed by Italian sausage and extra cheese.
About Pizza Hut
As the world’s largest pizza restaurant company with almost 6,600 restaurants in the United States and more than 4,000 restaurants in 100 other countries, Pizza Hut, Inc., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) is America’s Favorite Pizza. The company’s 49-year legacy of leadership and innovation has made it the recognized leader in the $37 billion pizza category. Those hungry for more information can go to the official Pizza Hut Web site at www.pizzahut.com.
