Pizza Hut rebrands to Pasta Hut

Pizza Hut is rebranding its UK business to Pasta Hut as part of a £100m revamp. The restaurant chain is also launching a new, healthier menu from today (October 6).

The name change follows its rebrand in Canada earlier this year.

The group is to spend £100m over the next six years refurbishing its UK restaurants and extending its number of outlets, as part of a strategy that is intended to move the business more upmarket.

The group’s chief executive Alasdair Murdoch says the name change reflects the changes to the nutritional content of the menu, with healthier pasta dishes taking a more prominent role.

Hydrogenated vegetable oils will be removed and salt content is to be cut over the next three years to meet Food Standard Agency targets.

The 700-strong chain, which opened its first UK franchise in London in 1973, will still continue to sell pizzas in its restaurants and will also focus on developing its online ordering and home delivery business.

Last month, Pizza Hut’s chief marketing officer Hugh Wood, said he would leave the company following the completion of the rebranding project. Wood joined the company in 2006.

The chain reappointed Abbott Mead Vickers.BBDO to its advertising business in May.