Pizza Hut Changing Geometry of the Industry with Introduction of New D

    Business Editors

    DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2005--In a bold step away from tradition, Pizza Hut(R) is changing the geometry of the industry from triangles to rectangles with its new Pizza Hut Dippin' Strips pizza, a pizza designed specially for dipping.
    Again, Pizza Hut has created one more reason for family and friends to gather. After Pizza Hut discovered that 57 percent of pizza-eaters like to dip their pizza into sauces, the company redesigned the basic pizza and sliced it into 16, 1-inch by 4-inch rectangular strips, demanding to be dipped. And, the company is also giving dipping fans three popular sauces: marinara, ranch and garlic.
    According to Tom James, Pizza Hut chief marketing officer, Dippin' Strips pizza is a simple product idea and makes pizza into finger-food.
    "There's always something new at Pizza Hut. And, for our busiest Sunday of the year, we've done it again with our new Dippin' Strips pizza," said James. "We've actually reconfigured our pizza to accommodate those who are driven to dip -- how about that for customer service?"
    "The fact is, triangle slices just don't fit well into a cup of sauce. Dippin' Strips pizza has been 'dippinomically' designed for dipping. There's nothing complicated about it, you just...dip," James said. "Everyone - kids, parents, grandparents -- will see that our strips are easy to hold, dip and eat so the whole family will have fun sharing our new pizza."

    Are You Driven to Dip?

    The research on how Americans eat pizza spurred Pizza Hut to add a place on its website (www.pizzahut.com) for consumers to cast their vote on what type of dipper they are: big dipper, dip and flipper, double or triple dipper? The company also is encouraging Americans to review "proper" dipping etiquette on the website.
    The Pizza Hut Dippin' Strips pizza is the latest in an annual tradition of introducing new, innovative pizzas for the Super Bowl game, the day that traditionally is the busiest pizza-selling Sunday of the year. Historically, more Pizza Hut pizzas are sold during the game than any other day of the year. This year, Pizza Hut restaurants anticipate preparing almost two million pizzas during the hours leading up to and during the Super Bowl game with nearly 50 percent of deliveries and carry-outs occurring in the two hours prior to kick off and during the first hour of the game.
    "As families and friends gather to watch the game, we're convinced Dippin' Strips pizza will be the favorite on the table," says James. "The strips are perfect for family gatherings and parties during the Super Bowl game or everyday dinners."
    The Dippin' Strips pizza is offered nationally at participating Pizza Hut restaurants for dine-in, carryout or delivery where available for $9.99 for one topping. For a little more, customers can also choose one of the company's specialty pizza lines - Meat Lover's(R), Veggie Lover's(R), Cheese Lover's Plus(R) or Supreme.

    About Pizza Hut

    Pizza Hut Inc., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), is the world's largest pizza restaurant company with almost 6,600 units in the United States and more than 4,000 units in 100 other countries. The company is the recognized leader in the $37 billion pizza category. Those hungry for more information can go to the official Pizza Hut web site at www.pizzahut.com.

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CONTACT: Pizza Hut Patty Sullivan, 972-338-7844

KEYWORD: TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RESTAURANTS FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL PRODUCT SOURCE: Pizza Hut

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