PIZZA HUT® ENTERS THE BURGER BUSINESS WITH NEW CHEESEBURGER MELT

Rhea-AI Summary

Starting today, Pizza Hut launches the Cheeseburger Melt, entering the burger market with a unique product that combines a parmesan-crusted thin crust with beef, applewood-smoked bacon, onions, mozzarella, and cheddar. This innovative menu item aims to offer a portable, crunchy, and cheesy alternative to traditional burgers. To promote the launch, Pizza Hut introduces a campaign encouraging customers to 'cheat on their cheeseburger' by offering free Cheeseburger Melts and PEPSI® at select burger chain drive-thrus in Chicago and Miami. This promotion is valid while supplies last until May 20, 2024. The Cheeseburger Melt is available as part of the My Hut Box™ offer, starting at $6.99, which includes a choice between Melts or a 2-topping Personal Pan Pizza®, sides, and a drink.

Positive

• Pizza Hut is diversifying its menu with the introduction of the Cheeseburger Melt, appealing to both pizza and burger enthusiasts.
• The innovative product combines popular burger ingredients with Pizza Hut's signature thin crust, potentially attracting a new customer segment.
• The promotional campaign offers free Cheeseburger Melts and PEPSI®, generating buzz and encouraging trial among new customers.
• The My Hut Box™ offer provides value for money with options starting at $6.99, potentially boosting sales.
• The targeted marketing in Chicago and Miami aims at high-traffic locations, increasing visibility and customer engagement.

Negative

• The promotion is to select markets (Chicago, Miami) and while supplies last, potentially limiting its overall reach.
• The Cheeseburger Melt and My Hut Box™ are available for a time, which may not sustain long-term customer interest.
• There are restrictions and exclusions on the My Hut Box™ offer, which could lead to customer dissatisfaction.

Brand Encourages Burger Enthusiasts to 'Cheat On Their Cheeseburger' With Offer for Free Cheeseburger Melts & PEPSI® in the Drive-Thru of Select Burger Chains Across the U.S.

PLANO, Texas, May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting today, Pizza Hut is entering the burger business with a better way to burger. Introducing the new Cheeseburger Melt, a parmesan-crusted thin crust Melt folded and loaded with beef, applewood-smoked bacon, onions, mozzarella, and cheddar, served with Burger Sauce on the side. The savory, cheesy, crunchy menu item ditches the bun (say goodbye to soggy bun burger deliveries) and brings together a medley of flavors for those craving a cheeseburger all wrapped into a crispy thin crust. With this handheld, Pizza Hut has cracked the code for what a cheeseburger should be: portable, crunchy, and oozing with cheese.

For the launch of the new Cheeseburger Melt, Pizza Hut is encouraging burger enthusiasts to cheat on their usual burger chain to prove their new favorite cheeseburger is now from a pizza place instead and even Better With PEPSI^®. Starting today, Pizza Hut is deploying delivery drivers to make appearances at certain fast-food burger chain drive-thrus, complete with a QR code displayed on their back windows to scan for a better burger. Those that see the cars in the drive-thrus and scan the QR code asking if they want a better burger will be entered to redeem a coupon for a FREE Cheeseburger Melt and refreshing PEPSI^® while supplies last. The offer is available in a few markets where the largest fast-food burger chains are headquartered: Chicago, IL and Miami, FL*.

"As a brand known for exceptional pizzas, venturing into the burger business is an exciting first for us," said Lindsay Morgan, Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut. "We thought we'd kick off our burger journey with something bold. That's why we're making waves in burger chain drive-thrus, serving up our delicious new Cheeseburger Melt for all you burger lovers out there."

Perfect for any lunch or dinner meal occasion, each order of Melts features two slices of Pizza Hut's signature Thin N' Crispy^® crust loaded with an abundance of toppings and cheese, folded over, baked to melty perfection and complemented with a dipping sauce that pairs perfectly with the individual-sized meal and a PEPSI^®. In addition to cheeseburger, Pizza Hut Melts^® are available in four other recipes: Pepperoni Lover's^® served with marinara dipping sauce, Buffalo Chicken served with buffalo dipping sauce and ranch dipping sauce, Chicken Bacon Parmesan served with ranch dipping sauce and Meat Lover's^® served with marinara dipping sauce.

"For the first time ever, we packed everything you know and love about a cheeseburger into our craveable Thin N' Crispy^® crust to develop the new Cheeseburger Melt," said Rachel Antalek, Chief Food Innovation Officer at Pizza Hut. "Unlike a traditional cheeseburger, the Cheeseburger Melt dips perfectly into what we would argue is the world's best burger dipping sauce. We challenge you to find a better burger and sauce experience."

The Cheeseburger Melt is also part of the new My Hut Box™ Offer** that allows guests to choose between Melts or a 2-topping Personal Pan Pizza^®, plus a side of fries or 4 boneless wings and a 20oz drink. Melts dipping sauce included. Order a My Hut Box now starting at $6.99 at participating Pizza Hut restaurants nationwide. Click here to find the closest Pizza Hut location. 

*INCENTIVES AVAILABLE FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED. Open to legal US residents physically residing in the 50 US/DC who are 18+ years of age. Ends at 11:59:59 pm CT on 5/20/24, or when all available Incentives are depleted (whichever comes first). A minimum of 7,350 Incentives are available. Limit one (1) Incentive per person. Other restrictions apply. For full Terms, visit thecheeseburger.com/terms.

**My Hut Box and Cheeseburger Melts are offered for a limited time only at select participating locations. My Hut Box Pricing varies based on selection. Pizza entrée includes up to 2 pizza toppings and wings side includes selection of 4 Boneless Honey BBQ or Buffalo Medium wings only. Additional charge for wing sauce. Melts come with 1 dipping sauce, no substitutions. Beverage extra. Exclusions apply.

About Pizza Hut^®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas and since then has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in innovation with the creation of icons like Original® Pan and Original® Stuffed Crust pizzas. In 1994, Pizza Hut pizza was the very first online food order. Today, Pizza Hut continues leading the way in the digital and technology space with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and has Hut Rewards®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you order. Hut Rewards is open to U.S. residents 18+. See applicable terms at https://hutrewards.pizzahut.com/terms/. A global leader in the pizza category, Pizza Hut operates more than 19,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Through its enormous presence, Pizza Hut works to unlock opportunity for its team members and communities around the world.

For more information, visit www.pizzahut.com. You can remain up to date on what's happening at Pizza Hut by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

PEPSI, PEPSI-COLA and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc.

Press Contact
ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS
pizza@abmc-us.com 

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SOURCE Pizza Hut

FAQ

What is the new product Pizza Hut introduced in May 2024?

Pizza Hut introduced the Cheeseburger Melt, a parmesan-crusted thin crust loaded with beef, bacon, onions, mozzarella, and cheddar.

Where can I get a free Cheeseburger Melt and PEPSI®?

Free Cheeseburger Melts and PEPSI® are available at select burger chain drive-thrus in Chicago and Miami while supplies last.

What makes the Cheeseburger Melt different from a traditional cheeseburger?

The Cheeseburger Melt uses a parmesan-crusted thin crust instead of a bun, offering a portable, crunchy, and cheesy alternative.

How long is the My Hut Box™ offer available?

The My Hut Box™ offer is available for a time at participating Pizza Hut locations.

What is included in the My Hut Box™ offer?

The My Hut Box™ includes a choice between Melts or a 2-topping Personal Pan Pizza®, sides like fries or 4 boneless wings, and a 20oz drink, starting at $6.99.