Since Pizza Hut Became An Empire 
Sunday, January 27th, 2008

Just a little offbeat editorial commentary for you:  but what in hellfire happened to Pizza Hut?  This weekend, we were thinking about how we haven't had a bite of Pizza Hut pizza in maybe five years.  Why is that, we wondered?  Probably because we tend to dislike giant national monopolies...we also don't eat very much pizza, because it's not very good for you.  But for journalistic purposes of course, we wandered over to Pizza Hut's website and checked out their current specials, and then gave the Hut a buzz.

Pizza Hut:  "Hello, Pizza Hut.  Would you like to hear our specials today?"

ConnieTalk:  "No thanks, just one large pizza, please.  Ham and mushrooms, light on the sauce."

Pizza Hut:  "Okay.  Would you like to add any breadsticks, cinnamon sticks, wings, appetizers, salad...[when I wake up]...today?"

ConnieTalk:  "No thanks."

Pizza Hut:  "Alright, that will be about 45 minutes and your total is $20.04, we'll see you then!"

Whoah, whoah, whoah - wait a minute.  Twenty dollars and four cents?  For one large pizza?  It says on their website that they sprinkle Parmesan cheese on it, not gold dust!!  The average cost of the ingredients for one large pizza, from what we've found, is usually under $2.00, including the cost of the box.  Even if you figured in gas for delivery and the pay rate of the employee (minus our tip), the ratio is ridiculous.

I'm sure this has nothing to do with the steady increase of store profits over the years, nor the continued dominance of the "Big Four" pizza companies (Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's and Little Caesar's) showing steady growth in both sales and units in the new millennium.

"Thanks," I told the Pizza Hut voice on the national ordering line, "But I can get a large homemade pizza for $10 (or less) at the Mom & Pop pizza shop down the street.  Charging over $20 for one pizza is a crime.  Plus we can support small businesses that way.  But have a nice day."

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