Unforgotten Brands: Pizza Hut

From a small Kansas storefront to dining tables around the world

The Humble Beginnings (1958)

In the summer of 1958, two college brothers—Dan and Frank Carney—took a leap of faith in Wichita, Kansas. With just $600 borrowed from their mother, they opened a small pizzeria. The space was tiny, but the ambitions were large. They called it “Pizza Hut”—not because of a deep strategy but simply because their sign only had room for eight letters.

In this 1959 photo provided by Yum Brands, Pizza Hut founders Dan, left, and Frank Carney are shown. The Carneys opened the first Pizza Hut restaurant in Wichita, Kan. in 1958. (AP Photo/Yum Brands)

They served a dish just beginning to catch on in America: pizza. And they weren’t sure if it would even work. But soon, the little pizza joint was bustling. Friends helped out, word spread, and they opened a second location within a year. The rest, as they say, is history.

Franchising the Dream

The Carney brothers began franchising in 1959, just a year after opening; one of the first franchises opened in Topeka, Kansas. Business boomed. The logo, the red roof, and the name Pizza Hut began to imprint themselves in the American psyche.

In 1969, the brand’s iconic red-roof building design was introduced, turning it from a restaurant into a recognisable roadside symbol.

Eastward Expansion and a Pizza Revolution

By the mid-1960s, Pizza Hut had over 100 locations and was expanding east of the Mississippi River. Ohio was among the first to welcome the brand. The pizza boom had begun, and Pizza Hut was leading the charge.

From Athens, Ohio, to cities across the U.S., Pizza Hut became a reliable name—a place to eat and gather.

Joining the Big Leagues

In 1977, PepsiCo acquired Pizza Hut. The partnership brought strong distribution, new resources, and the ability to grow even faster. Pizza Hut thrived under PepsiCo for two decades, eventually joining with sibling brands like KFC and Taco Bell.

By 1997, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and KFC were spun off into a new company: Tricon Global Restaurants, which was later rebranded as Yum! Brands in 2002. It’s a new name, but it has the same mission—to deliver flavourful food experiences around the globe.

Always Ahead: Pioneers in Online Ordering

In 1994, while most people were still figuring out what the Internet was, Pizza Hut launched PizzaNet—the first-ever online pizza ordering system. It was tested in Santa Cruz, California, and allowed customers to place orders from their computers. Way ahead of its time, PizzaNet paved the way for the seamless online food delivery world we know today.

A Slice of History: The Original Building

The original Pizza Hut building from Wichita found a new home on Wichita State University’s campus in 1986, where it became a symbol of Kansas’ entrepreneurial spirit. It now stands as a museum, inspiring future generations.

Say Hello to Pizza Pete

In the early days, Pizza Hut needed a mascot. Enter Pizza Pete, the moustached, apron-wearing character representing the brand in ads, packaging, and signs. Pete was more than a cartoon—he was a friendly face that kids and families associated with fun, flavour, and weekend pizza nights.

A Presidential Twist: Gorbachev Sells Pizza

One of the most surreal moments in advertising history came in 1997 when former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev starred in a Pizza Hut commercial. The ad was filmed in Red Square and portrayed Gorbachev bringing his granddaughter to a Pizza Hut—symbolising Russia’s post-communist embrace of capitalism, one slice at a time.

It was bold, bizarre, and brilliant. Gorbachev’s endorsement helped fund his nonprofit, and Pizza Hut cemented its global presence—even in places where pizza was once a luxury.

The Legacy of the Carney Brothers

The brothers, who started with a $600 loan, had created something unforgettable. Pizza Hut became not just the biggest pizza brand in America but a global giant with over 11,000 restaurants in more than 90 countries.

Their story continues as one of hustle, heart, and homemade ambition. Pizza Hut’s journey is a slice of the American entrepreneurial spirit from Wichita to the world.