Pizza Hut chief executive Murdoch stands down

Chief executive of Pizza Hut UK, Alasdair Murdoch, is stepping down from his role. It is believed he does not have a job to go.

He will be replaced by Jens Hofma, who is currently chief executive of KFC Germany and Holland. KFC and Pizza Hut are owned by Yum! Brands.

A source close to the situation says Murdoch was offered a promotion to an international role but did not want to relocate.

Murdoch has been in his present role since 2006 and before that has held roles within KFC and Pizza Hut for the past 14 years.

He previously led the franchise and company operational teams at KFC UK, and was general manager of Pizza Hut in France.

Murdoch oversaw the launch of Pizza Hut’s online ordering service in 2007, which recently reported sales growth at an average of 25% a month last year.

He was also at the helm when the chain rebranded a small number of stores as Pasta Hut to help promote a healthier positioning and its refocus on its pasta dishes last October.

His departure comes a week after it was announced that Yum! Brands has appointed former Reebok chief marketing officer Micky Pant to the newly created role of global branding president.

Pant will be responsible for establishing a single brand positioning and identity for KFC, Pizza Hut and all its brands globally.