Pizza Hut’s sit-down restaurants in the UK have been hit hard, plunging into administration and putting hundreds of jobs in jeopardy. The news sparks fresh uncertainty for multiple branches across Sussex.

Massive Job Worries as UK Dine-In Business Collapses

DC London Pie Ltd, the operator of Pizza Hut’s dine-in sites, fell victim to soaring costs, tax debts, and fewer diners. The company has now entered administration, with FTI Consulting appointed to steer the fallout.

Pizza Hut’s parent firm, Yum! Brands, has swooped to save 64 sites in a rescue deal. These restaurants will keep trading, and their staff will transfer under employment protection laws.

But the rescue deal leaves 68 dine-in branches and 11 delivery-only outlets out in the cold — threatening around 1,200 jobs across the UK.

Sussex Restaurants Brace for Impact

Sussex towns including Brighton, Crawley, Worthing, Eastbourne, and Hastings face potential closures. No official list of at-risk branches has been released yet. For now, all Sussex Pizza Huts remain open, but staff are anxiously awaiting news.

Local bosses warn closures would be a heavy blow to already struggling high streets. Pizza Hut taps into a steady flow of customers, and any shutdowns could also hit nearby shops, cafés, and suppliers.

Wider Crisis Hits UK Hospitality

Pizza Hut’s dine-in woes mirror a nationwide hospitality strain. Spiralling energy bills, rising rent and food costs, tax troubles (including a looming HMRC petition), and a drop in customers due to the cost-of-living crisis have all squeezed profits.

Experts say sit-down buffet-style models like Pizza Hut’s are increasingly tough to sustain in today’s market.

What’s Next for Pizza Hut and Staff?

• Administrators will decide which outlets survive and which shut.
• Yum! Brands promises to protect as many jobs as it can.
• Staff at saved restaurants will be kept on, while others face potential redundancies.
• Pizza Hut’s delivery-only service remains unaffected.

With the sector facing similar collapses and closures nationwide, the Pizza Hut shake-up is a stark reminder of the fragile state of UK high streets and hospitality. For now, Sussex’s Pizza Huts continue serving — but how long the ovens stay hot is anyone’s guess.