So, via Twitter, I discovered today that Pizza Hut are apparently rebranding. Further investigation found the FT, who confidently stated:

“Pizza Hut’s UK business is set to throw aside more than 35 years of history today by changing its name to Pasta Hut. In spite of a £17m investment updating many of its restaurants only this year, the group will spend a further £100m over the next six years to revamp its more than 700-strong UK chain, extend the number of outlets and launch a new, expanded menu.”

Not only the FT picked up on this, all the UK’s leading national and trade publications ran the story (mad.co.uk even ran graphs!).

But it just doesn’t seem quite right! Pizza Hut is a globally recognised brand – why change that!

Go to www.pastahut.com and it all becomes even more strange, as the site asks visitors “Do you think we should change our name?”. Seems a bit odd when the announcement has already been made. Even more surprising given that the vote is currently 70-30 against!

Bold rebranding exercise or an even bolder PR and marketing campaign to give the brand a new health conscious edge?

The Times wins the prize:

“To reinforce the point, 30 branches are to be renamed (temporarily) Pasta Hut.”

Good work

picture credit