Pizza Hut is changing its pan pizza.
The Plano, Texas-based pizza chain is altering the recipe for one of its premier products, its Original Pan Pizza, for the first time since it was introduced in 1980.
The company Tuesday said it has reengineered the pan in which the pizza is baked, giving the pizza a “golden-brown, crispy buttery crust,” as well as a new blend of cheese and sauce to complement its chewy center.
The product is the result of a three-year effort to improve the taste of its pan pizza.
“Pizza Hut has a rich history of things we’re known for, and creator of the Original Pan Pizza is certainly at the top of the list,” Marianne Radley, chief brand officer for the chain, said in a statement.
The company has rolled out the new pan pizza systemwide as of today. Pizza Hut is offering a large, two-topping pan pizza for $7.99 for a limited time when ordered online.
“We’ve put a lot of energy and love into refining this beloved pizza,” said Penny Shaheen, senior director, culinary strategy and innovation for Pizza Hut, in a statement.
Pizza Hut has been working to generate sales growth in its U.S. market, where the chain operates 7,500 locations but recently lost its position as the country’s largest pizza concept to rival Domino’s—which operates 1,600 fewer locations domestically.
Same-store sales were flat in the first quarter, the company said last month, and systemwide sales declined 1% in the period.
The company has inked a deal with the NFL and worked to improve its value message, and it is working to improve its ordering technology, all to generate higher sales.
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