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In the past, Pizza Hut was the go-to for groups and loved ones to enjoy its eat-as-much-as-you-like offering, endless salad selection, and make-your-own dessert.

However not as many diners are frequenting the restaurant these days, and it is reducing a significant portion of its UK locations after being acquired following financial trouble for the second time this year.

I remember going Pizza Hut when I was a child,” notes Prudence. “It was a tradition, you'd go on a Sunday – turn it into an event.” However, at present, in her mid-twenties, she comments “it's not a thing anymore.”

In the view of young customer Martina, some of the very things Pizza Hut has been famous for since it started in the UK in the seventies are now less appealing.

“The manner in which they do their all-you-can-eat and their salad bar, it seems as if they are lowering standards and have lower standards... They provide so much food and you're like ‘How?’”

As ingredient expenses have increased significantly, Pizza Hut's buffet-style service has become increasingly pricey to operate. Similarly, its outlets, which are being cut from a large number to a smaller figure.

The company, similar to other firms, has also experienced its costs rise. This spring, staffing costs rose due to rises in minimum wages and an rise in employer national insurance contributions.

Chris, 36, and Joanne, 29 mention they frequently dined at Pizza Hut for a date “every now and then”, but now they choose another pizza brand and think Pizza Hut is “very overpriced”.

According to your selection, Pizza Hut and Domino's rates are close, says a food expert.

Although Pizza Hut provides off-premise options through third-party apps, it is losing out to larger chains which solely cater to the delivery sector.

“The rival chain has taken over the delivery market thanks to aggressive marketing and constantly running deals that make shoppers feel like they're finding a good deal, when in reality the base costs are relatively expensive,” notes the specialist.

However for the couple it is worth it to get their special meal delivered to their door.

“We definitely eat at home now rather than we eat out,” comments the female customer, echoing recent statistics that show a drop in people visiting informal dining spots.

In the warmer season, informal dining venues saw a six percent decline in diners compared to last summer.

Additionally, a further alternative to ordered-in pies: the supermarket pizza.

A hospitality expert, head of leisure and hospitality at a leading firm, explains that not only have supermarkets been offering good-standard prepared pies for a long time – some are even selling pizza-making appliances.

“Evolving preferences are also having an impact in the popularity of casual eateries,” states the analyst.

The rising popularity of high protein diets has increased sales at poultry outlets, while affecting sales of carb-heavy pizza, he notes.

Because people dine out not as often, they may prefer a more high-quality meal, and Pizza Hut's American-diner style with booth seating and traditional décor can feel more retro than premium.

The rise of artisanal pizza places” over the last decade and a half, for example boutique chains, has “dramatically shifted the consumer view of what good pizza is,” notes the culinary analyst.

“A thin, flavorful, gentle crust with a carefully curated additions, not the overly oily, dense and piled-high pizzas of the past. That, I think, is what's led to Pizza Hut's decline,” she comments.

“What person would spend £17.99 on a modest, low-quality, underwhelming pizza from a large brand when you can get a stunning, expertly crafted traditional pie for less than ten pounds at one of the many authentic Italian pizzerias around the country?

“The decision is simple.”

An independent operator, who operates a pizza van based in a county in England says: “People haven’t lost interest in pizza – they just want improved value.”

He says his mobile setup can offer high-quality pie at reasonable rates, and that Pizza Hut had difficulty because it could not keep up with changing preferences.

At a small pizza brand in a city in southwest England, owner Jack Lander says the sector is expanding but Pizza Hut has neglected to introduce anything innovative.

“There are now individual slices, artisanal styles, New Haven-style, sourdough, Neapolitan, Detroit – it's a delightful challenge for a pizza-loving consumer to discover.”

The owner says Pizza Hut “should transform” as the youth don't have any sense of nostalgia or attachment to the chain.

In recent years, Pizza Hut's market has been fragmented and spread to its more modern, agile competitors. To keep up its high labor and location costs, it would have to raise prices – which experts say is tough at a time when family finances are tightening.

The managing director of Pizza Hut's global operations said the buyout aimed “to ensure our customer service and save employment where possible”.

It was explained its first focus was to keep running at the surviving locations and off-premise points and to help employees through the restructure.

But with significant funds going into running its restaurants, it likely can't afford to spend heavily in its delivery service because the sector is “complex and working with existing delivery apps comes at a price”, experts say.

But, he adds, cutting its costs by exiting crowded locations could be a effective strategy to adapt.