WHO INVENTED PIZZA?
Pizza is one of the world's most celebrated foods, with origins dating back to the 10th century. This timeless dish has been reinvented more times than we can count. Thousands of years of tradition and love have culminated in the world-famous Pizza Hut menu. Join us as we dive into the tantalising history of pizza and dive into the history of Pizza Hut.
WHEN WAS PIZZA INVENTED?
The history of pizza is long and complex in its earliest origins. Pizza was around as far back as the time of the Romans and Ancient Greeks, who would enjoy flatbread with herbs and oils. To answer who invented pizza is a difficult task, as it has been difficult to pinpoint the single person accredited with inventing the dish we all know and love.
As far as we know, the earliest 'modern pizza’ was first created by Raffaele Esposito, a Neapolitan pizza maker who first created the dish for the Queen consort of Italy, Queen Margherita of Savoy. This first Margherita pizza kicked off the modern Renaissance of not only Italian but world cuisine.
Through history, pizza was always seen as a dish of the lower class, simply comprising of oil and toppings and wasn't served in restaurants until the late 19th century, when Italian immigrants brought pizza to the United States, where it would explode in popularity after WWII, turning into the diverse and tasty meal we all know and love.
THE HISTORY OF PIZZA HUT
Following the massive growth in pizza popularity post-WWII, pizza chains would start popping up across the United States. In 1958, seeing the opportunity, two brothers studying at Wichita State University, Dan and Frank Carney, would open the first Pizza Hut restaurant in Wichita, Kansas, after borrowing $600 from their mother.
Within the year, the brothers were able to expand their pizza business to six outlets and would begin franchising. The iconic red hut wouldn’t come about until 1963, when Chicago architect George Lindstrom designed the building style for the brothers. The red roof would be fully adopted across all of their restaurants by 1969.
BRINGING QUALITY PIZZA TO THE UK
Two years later, in 1971, Pizza Hut officially became the world's most popular pizza restaurant in terms of locations and sales, becoming a major success. The ever-growing chain would look at opening up venues across the pond. In 1973, the first UK-based Pizza Hut would open up in Islington, London.
Pizza Hut would continue to open locations across the UK, going from strength to strength. In 1980, a pantastic pizza revolution was sweeping Pizza Hut locations worldwide, introducing the masses to the wonders of pan pizza. The 80’s was a decade famed for its music, fashion, and iconic movie franchises, but it was also the decade Pizza Hut continued to grow at rapid rates, opening its 5,000th location in Dallas, Texas, and by 1987, averaging one restaurant each week in the UK.
CONQUERING THE VIRTUAL WORLD
As the internet began to take off, Pizza Hut was front and centre of the technological revolution, becoming the first chain to offer pizza delivery services via the internet. 1995 was perhaps Pizza Hut's best year since their founding, launching the now iconic Original Stuffed Crust at locations across the world and immediately setting company sales records.
The end of the 90’s into the dawn of the new century saw several new pizzas and locations being launched, including the Italian Pizza with over 400 locations, the tasty Gran Pan, The Edge, a thin pizza stacked with topping and in 2004, the Big New Yorker launched, bringing a taste of the Big Apple to locations across the UK.
NAUGHTIES THROUGH TO TODAY
Across the Atlantic, the Americans were busy launching a Pizza Hut delivery into space to the International Space Station and becoming among the first to dive into the world of social media, becoming the first national pizza chain to be on Facebook, launching their own Apple Store app in 2009 and creating an exclusive Xbox 360 app allowing gamers to order a Pizza Hut delivery from their console.
The end of the naughties saw the introduction of garlic and pepperoni-stuffed crusts. 2012 was the year of the first gluten-free pizza appearing on the Pizza Hut menu. In 2016, Pizza Hut set a world record by making a delivery to Mt Kilimanjaro and also underwent a major refurbishment across the UK, becoming the Pizza Hut restaurants that we all know and love. In 2020, Pizza Hut became the first national pizza company to bring a plant-based meat pizza to locations across America and the wider world.
COME PAY A VISIT TO THE HOME OF PIZZA PERFECTION
Pizza Hut has been the king of pizza for decades, creating a menu packed with incredible pizza creations, scintillating sides, and delightful deserts all just waiting to be explored at your nearest Pizza Hut or through our Pizza Hut takeaway. Be sure to explore our restaurant special offers and bring the family along to our family-friendly restaurants. Learn more about our Pizza Hut history and check out our Pizza lovers blog for all you need to know about our pizzas and special events.
First Published: 18/3/25