Eagle Boys
A pepperoni pizza in its carton box.

 

Pizza Hut will convert more than 50 Eagle Boys stores across the country, with the first new-look store unveiled in Sydney’s Collaroy this week.

The national rollout will bring the Pizza Hut network to more than 320 stores. It is the first major move to reinvigorate the brand now that it is under Australian management for the first time.

Pizza Hut CEO, Lisa Ransom, said the company is looking forward to working with the Eagle Boys franchisees.

“The future is all about growth and innovation for Pizza Hut and converting stores into Pizza Hut over the next few months is one way we are bringing a dynamic energy and new customer focus to the market,” she said.

“It’s a significant opportunity to grow the distribution and brand presence of Pizza Hut for our customers and take advantage of the economies of scale that come with being a bigger organisation.”

About half of the 50 Eagle Boys stores will switch to Pizza Hut by the end of the year. Umina on the New South Wales (NSW) central coast will open next week followed by stores in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, regional NSW and Queensland.

Michael Cooper, an Eagle Boys franchisee for seven years, will operate the Pizza Hut Collaroy store. He said he is looking forward to the opportunities that will come from being part of a revitalised chain.

“The Pizza Hut team really understands what it is like to work as a small business serving the local community and how important it is to maintain a local feel,” he explained. “It’s also great news for local jobs and local pizza lovers.”

Along with the conversions, a new equity store will open in Sydney’s Newport in early December. Ransom said this will generate approximately 20 local jobs.