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In the past, Pizza Hut was the top choice for parents and children to indulge in its all-you-can-eat buffet, help-yourself greens station, and ice cream with toppings.

However a declining number of customers are frequenting the brand nowadays, and it is reducing half of its UK locations after being bought out of administration for the second occasion this calendar year.

I remember going Pizza Hut when I was a child,” explains Prudence. “It was a tradition, you'd go on a Sunday – make a day of it.” Today, as a young adult, she says “it's not a thing anymore.”

In the view of a diner in her twenties, certain features Pizza Hut has been known and loved for since it opened in the UK in the mid-20th century are now not-so-hot.

“The manner in which they do their buffet and their salad bar, it feels like they are cutting corners and have lower standards... They're giving away so much food and you're like ‘How?’”

Since ingredient expenses have soared, Pizza Hut's all-you-can-eat model has become increasingly pricey to run. The same goes for its restaurants, which are being cut from a large number to a smaller figure.

The chain, in common with competitors, has also seen its operating costs rise. Earlier this year, employee wages jumped due to rises in minimum wages and an rise in employer taxes.

Chris, 36, and Joanne, 29 mention they used to go at Pizza Hut for a date “every now and then”, but now they choose Domino's and think Pizza Hut is “too expensive”.

According to your selection, Pizza Hut and Domino's costs are similar, explains a culinary author.

Even though Pizza Hut does offer pickup and delivery through third-party apps, it is falling behind to larger chains which specialize to the delivery sector.

“Domino's has managed to dominate the off-premise pizza industry thanks to intensive advertising and frequent offers that make customers feel like they're getting a bargain, when in reality the original prices are on the higher side,” says the specialist.

Yet for Chris and Joanne it is worth it to get their date night delivered to their door.

“We absolutely dine at home now rather than we eat out,” comments the female customer, matching current figures that show a decrease in people visiting casual and fast-food restaurants.

During the summer months, quick-service eateries saw a six percent decline in patrons compared to the previous year.

Additionally, a further alternative to pizza from eateries: the supermarket pizza.

A hospitality expert, senior partner at a leading firm, notes that not only have retailers been selling good-standard oven-ready pizzas for quite a while – some are even selling countertop ovens.

“Lifestyle changes are also contributing in the success of fast-food chains,” states the analyst.

The increased interest of protein-rich eating plans has increased sales at grilled chicken brands, while hitting sales of carb-heavy pizza, he continues.

Since people visit restaurants not as often, they may look for a more upscale outing, and Pizza Hut's American-diner style with comfortable booths and red and white checked plastic table cloths can feel more dated than upmarket.

The “explosion of artisanal pizza places” over the last 10 to 15 years, for example new entrants, has “dramatically shifted the general opinion of what good pizza is,” notes the culinary analyst.

“A light, fresh, easy-to-digest product with a carefully curated additions, not the excessively rich, thick and crowded pizzas of the past. That, arguably, is what's led to Pizza Hut's decline,” she states.

“Why would anyone spend a high price on a small, substandard, disappointing pizza from a chain when you can get a stunning, expertly crafted Margherita for less than ten pounds at one of the many real Italian restaurants around the country?

“The decision is simple.”

Dan Puddle, who runs Smokey Deez based in a county in England explains: “People haven’t fallen out of love with pizza – they just want higher quality at a fair price.”

The owner says his mobile setup can offer high-quality pie at accessible prices, and that Pizza Hut had difficulty because it could not keep up with evolving tastes.

At an independent chain in a UK location, the proprietor says the industry is expanding but Pizza Hut has neglected to introduce anything fresh.

“You now have individual slices, London pizza, new haven, sourdough, wood-fired, Detroit – it's a delightful challenge for a pie fan to explore.”

Jack says Pizza Hut “should transform” as newer generations don't have any emotional connection or loyalty to the brand.

Over time, Pizza Hut's share has been sliced up and distributed to its more modern, agile competitors. To maintain its expensive staffing and restaurants, it would have to raise prices – which commentators say is challenging at a time when personal spending are shrinking.

The managing director of Pizza Hut's overseas branches said the rescue aimed “to protect our dining experience and retain staff where possible”.

It was explained its first focus was to keep running at the remaining 64 restaurants and off-premise points and to help employees through the transition.

Yet with large sums going into running its restaurants, it probably cannot to invest too much in its off-premise division because the sector is “complicated and partnering with existing delivery apps comes at a cost”, experts say.

But, he adds, reducing expenses by withdrawing from crowded locations could be a good way to adapt.