Pizza Hut to close 29 UK restaurants putting 450 jobs at risk

Chain joins Zizzi, Pizza Express, Chiquito and others who have announced redundancies since pandemic started

Pizza Hut said it did not expect sales to recover until 'well into 2021' (PA)

Pizza Hut has announced plans to shut 29 of its 244 UK restaurants, putting around 450 jobs at risk.

The restaurant chain is in talks with creditors over a turnaround deal after facing "significant disruption" from the pandemic.

Pizza Hut said on Wednesday that it was forced to restructure because sales are not expected to fully recover until “well into 2021”.

Pizza Hut Delivery or related franchises will not be affected by the job cuts. 

The company is the latest high street dining brand to announce redundancies since the pandemic began in March. Costa, Zizzi, Pret a Manger, Chiquito and Burger King are among those making cuts as millions of people cut back on eating out.

A popular government scheme offering half-price meals came to an end last week and fears are growing that hospitality businesses will cut tens or even hundreds of thousands of jobs over the winter as the industry enters a quieter period of the year and government support for wages is withdrawn.

A Pizza Hut Restaurants spokesperson said: "We are committed to doing the right thing, and in order to secure as many jobs as possible and continue serving our communities, we are working to reach an agreement with our creditors.

"While we are likely to see 29 Hut closures and 450 job losses, any measures we take aim to protect about 5,000 jobs at our remaining 215 restaurants, as well as the longevity of the business.

"We understand this is a difficult time for everyone involved. We appreciate the support of our business partners and are doing everything we can to help our team members during this process, including speaking with those affected by the consultation.”