For four years running, Pizza Hut has hosted a pizza-making competition that involves teams from the 110 countries in which the brand operates. In this year’s competition, the finals of which was held in Dubai where 12 finalist teams competed, a team from Bahrain emerged as the 2024 Global Pizza Hut Champion.
According to Pizza Hut, the annual Global Pizza Hut Championships celebrate speed, precision and mastery in crafting the brand’s Pan and Stuffed Crust pizzas. Teams consist of a restaurant general manager (RGM) and a team member, who demonstrate their skills in pizza preparation, cutting techniques and adherence to Pizza Hut’s global standards. Bahrain’s winning duo impressed judges with their execution and mastery of brand standards.
“Pizza Hut operates across many geographies and cultures with unique tastes and needs, but the thread that connects all of our restaurant teams is their dedication to consistently providing guests with craveable pizza—no matter where they are in the world,” said Shannon Garcia, Pizza Hut’s president of global franchise markets & global operations. “The Global Pizza Hut Championships showcase the common passion our teams have for connecting people through the joy of pizza and allow us to celebrate and recognize them for their inspiring skills and hard work.”
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The victorious Bahrain team took home the “Global Gold Pan” trophy and a $3,000 cash prize. According to a press release, their performance stood out not only for their speed and technical precision but also for their ability to articulate the brand’s standards during the competition.
“We spend many hours of hard work and dedication to perfect our pizza making, and I hope this competition inspires Pizza Hut restaurant teams around the world to be the best by showing that we have a global, world-class operation everywhere,” said Clara (no last name given), the general manager member of the Bahrain team. “Winning the Global Pizza Hut Championships shows that we don’t just sell pizza—we also have a passion for pizza making and a love for the Pizza Hut brand.”
The road to the championship is rigorous. Teams from the 110 countries where Pizza Hut operates compete locally over the summer, with finalists advancing to represent their nations. This year’s finalists came from Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, Portugal, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Adding to the excitement was the “Make Table Magic” innovation contest, where team members showcased creative pizza concepts. This year’s winning entry, the Dakgalbi Pizza from Korea, featured fiery marinated chicken, vibrant vegetables and a variety of cheeses, offering a customizable, shareable dining experience. The event also included a spirited “Winning Recipe” cheer competition, blending cultural flair with team creativity.
The Global Pizza Hut Championships continue to underscore the brand’s commitment to celebrating the skill, dedication, and creativity of its global team members.