Trending Now - Pizza Chains Face Decline as Sales Dip and Closures Loom

WHO:

CNBC - Russell Weiner is the CEO of Domino's Pizza.

Fast Company - Yum Brands is the parent company of Pizza Hut.

WHAT:

CNBC - Domino's Pizza stock closed down more than 8% after reporting weaker-than-expected U.S. same-store sales growth.

CNBC - Domino's domestic same-store sales rose just 0.9%, lower than the expected 2.3% by Wall Street analysts.

CNBC - Domino's lowered its full-year U.S. same-store sales forecast to low-single digit growth, down from a prior projection of 3%.

Fast Company - Yum Brands announced plans to close 250 underperforming Pizza Hut locations during the first half of 2026.

Fast Company - More than 50 Pizza Hut locations have closed in recent months across the United States.

Fast Company - As of December 2025, Pizza Hut had just under 20,000 locations globally, with 68% located outside the U.S.

WHERE:

Fast Company - Pizza Hut locations that have closed include cities in California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Montana.

Fast Company - Specific closed locations include addresses in Mesa, Arizona; Long Beach, California; and Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

WHEN:

Fast Company - The targeted closures of Pizza Hut locations are expected to be completed by July 1, 2026.

Fast Company - Yum Brands announced its strategic review of Pizza Hut in November 2025.

WHY:

CNBC - CEO Russell Weiner cited winter weather and weak consumer sentiment as contributing factors to Domino's sales decline.

Fast Company - The closures are part of Pizza Hut's "Hut Forward" turnaround plan, which includes marketing support and technological upgrades.

HOW:

CNBC - Weiner mentioned that Domino's faces stiffer competition from rival pizza chains, which have matched or undercut its promotions.

(UPDATED April 27, 2026 23:16 UTC)

Domino's Pizza stock took a hit, closing down more than 8% after reporting a disappointing 0.9% growth in U.S. same-store sales, which fell short of Wall Street's expectations of 2.3%. Meanwhile, Yum Brands has announced plans to close 250 underperforming Pizza Hut locations by July 1, 2026, as part of its "Hut Forward" turnaround strategy, which aims to revitalize the brand through marketing and technology upgrades. CEO Russell Weiner attributed Domino's struggles to factors like winter weather and increased competition from rival pizza chains that have been aggressive with their promotions.