Image provided by Pizza Hut U.S.
Last week, 127.7 million pro football fans watched the sport’s final matchup, and Pizza Hut U.S. was ready to feed them. In fact, the brand claimed its highest sales per restaurant in its 67-year history during this year’s Big Game, proving that the most iconic Sunday in sports remains Pizza Hut’s busiest day of the year. It took a collective effort from the brand’s Digital & Technology, marketing and operations teams to ensure that football fans received piping hot Pizza Hut® pizzas to fuel their game-watching experience. Here’s how Pizza Hut U.S. did it.
First, it was all about data and analytics. The marketing team knew from its research that fans tuned into the pregame show, simultaneously thinking about what they’d feed their friends and family at halftime.
So, the brand was armed with a TV spot featuring football celebrities revealing their personal Ultimate Hut Bundle picks, with choice of two medium pizzas, eight boneless wings, sticks and two dips.* This commercial aired multiple times between 4-6:30 p.m. ET.
Pizza Hut also orchestrated an integrated spot with FOX Sports that aired about an hour before the Big Game. The spot featured a famous tight end interrupting two friends who were debating their ideal Pizza Hut lineup by smashing through their front door to deliver a Meat Lover’s® pizza. Then, a former college running back crashed through the wall, ready for a Supreme Pizza. The ad ended with a Hall of Famer who brought wings and breadsticks to the party, creating the Ultimate Hut Bundle feast.
Both commercials landed with audiences, resulting in pizzas ordered at a breakneck pace. During a 90-minute window, Pizza Hut U.S. restaurant locations averaged upwards of 2,000 orders per minute. About 75% of orders were received through Pizza Hut’s website and newly launched mobile app, a testament to the accessibility of its technology platform and contributing to parent company Yum! Brands’ commitment to increasing digital sales. In 2024, Yum! grew its digital sales by approximately 15%, and over half of its system sales came through digital channels.
Operational teams were ready to handle the influx, partnering with delivery aggregators and ensuring that carryout counters were ready as both served as primary sales drivers. By the end of the night, Pizza Hut team members sold over 1.4 million pizzas and nearly 5 million wings.
All the while, Pizza Hut and Hidden Valley Ranch partnered to celebrate the launch of HVR’s new Easy-Squeeze bottle with a unique collectible: the Hidden Valley Ranch Signature Pizza, delivered by Pizza Hut, autographed by football legend Eli Manning using the precision of the new Hidden Valley Ranch bottle and preserved forever in resin. Fans could enter the Hidden Valley Ranch Signature Pizza Sweepstakes until kickoff of the Big Game for a chance to win the unique pizza along with a year’s supply of Pizza Hut pizza and Hidden Valley Ranch. Ten runners-up also received a year’s supply of ranch and Pizza Hut pizza to create their own signature moments.
By the end of the fourth quarter, one football team reigned supreme, and off the field, Pizza Hut U.S. delivered a great game day performance. To celebrate, Pizza Hut Center of Restaurant Excellence teams visited several Dallas-area Pizza Hut restaurant locations post-game with bags filled with swag, treats, handwritten thank-you cards and posters to recognize team members for a job well done. The brand hopes to build on this momentum in 2025, and this is why No One Out Pizzas the Hut®!
* Limited time only. Includes two medium pizzas (10 toppings max), eight-count boneless wings, choice of sticks and two dips. Availability of fried wings and flavors may vary. Not available on Stuffed Crust. Additional charge for extra cheese, extra toppings on recipe pizzas and dips. Product availability, prices and participation vary. Priced higher in some locations, including California. Taxes, tip and delivery fees not included.
