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In the past, the popular pizza chain was the go-to for groups and loved ones to feast on its unlimited dining experience, unlimited salad bar, and make-your-own dessert.

But a declining number of customers are choosing the restaurant currently, and it is reducing a significant portion of its UK outlets after being acquired following financial trouble for the second time this calendar year.

“We used to go Pizza Hut when I was a child,” notes a young adult. “It was a regular outing, you'd go on a Sunday – make a day of it.” However, at present, in her mid-twenties, she comments “it's not a thing anymore.”

According to young customer Martina, the very elements Pizza Hut has been famous for since it opened in the UK in the seventies are now outdated.

“The way they do their buffet and their salad station, it seems as if they are cutting corners and have inferior offerings... They provide so much food and you're like ‘How?’”

Because ingredient expenses have soared, Pizza Hut's all-you-can-eat model has become increasingly pricey to run. Similarly, its outlets, which are being cut from a large number to just over 60.

The chain, similar to other firms, has also seen its costs rise. This spring, employee wages increased due to higher minimum pay and an rise in employer taxes.

Two diners say they used to go at Pizza Hut for a date “occasionally”, but now they get delivery from a rival chain and think Pizza Hut is “very overpriced”.

According to your order, Pizza Hut and Domino's rates are comparable, says a culinary author.

Although Pizza Hut provides takeaway and deliveries through external services, it is losing out to major competitors which solely cater to the delivery sector.

“Another pizza company has taken over the off-premise pizza industry thanks to strong promotions and constantly running deals that make consumers feel like they're saving money, when in reality the original prices are on the higher side,” notes the specialist.

But for Chris and Joanne it is acceptable to get their date night delivered to their door.

“We absolutely dine at home now more than we eat out,” explains the female customer, reflecting current figures that show a decrease in people frequenting casual and fast-food restaurants.

During the summer months, casual and fast-food restaurants saw a six percent decline in patrons compared to the previous year.

Moreover, a further alternative to ordered-in pies: the supermarket pizza.

An industry leader, global lead for leisure at a leading firm, explains that not only have grocery stores been selling good-standard ready-to-bake pizzas for quite a while – some are even offering countertop ovens.

“Lifestyle changes are also having an impact in the popularity of fast-food chains,” comments the expert.

The increased interest of high protein diets has boosted sales at chicken shops, while reducing sales of carb-heavy pizza, he adds.

Because people dine out less frequently, they may seek out a more upscale outing, and Pizza Hut's American-diner style with booth seating and nostalgic table settings can feel more dated than luxurious.

The rise of high-quality pizzerias” over the last several years, such as new entrants, has “completely altered the public's perception of what good pizza is,” says the food expert.

“A thin, flavorful, gentle crust with a few choice toppings, not the overly oily, dense and piled-high pizzas of the past. That, arguably, is what's caused Pizza Hut's struggles,” she comments.

“Who would choose to spend nearly eighteen pounds on a modest, low-quality, underwhelming pizza from a chain when you can get a beautiful, masterfully-made traditional pie for a lower price at one of the many traditional pizzerias around the country?

“The decision is simple.”

A mobile pizza vendor, who operates a small business based in a regional area explains: “People haven’t fallen out of love with pizza – they just want better pizza for their money.”

He says his flexible operation can offer high-quality pie at affordable costs, and that Pizza Hut faced challenges because it could not keep up with new customer habits.

At a small pizza brand in Bristol, the founder says the sector is expanding but Pizza Hut has failed to offer anything new.

“There are now by-the-slice options, artisanal styles, New Haven-style, artisan base, traditional Italian, deep-dish – it's a wonderful array for a pie fan to discover.”

The owner says Pizza Hut “must rebrand” as newer generations don't have any sense of nostalgia or allegiance to the company.

In recent years, Pizza Hut's market has been divided and allocated to its fresher, faster competitors. To sustain its costly operations, it would have to increase costs – which commentators say is challenging at a time when personal spending are tightening.

A senior executive of Pizza Hut's global operations said the acquisition aimed “to ensure our customer service and protect jobs where possible”.

He said its first focus was to continue operating at the remaining 64 restaurants and off-premise points and to assist staff through the change.

Yet with large sums going into operating its locations, it likely can't afford to invest too much in its takeaway operation because the market is “difficult and using existing third-party platforms comes at a expense”, commentators say.

But, he adds, cutting its costs by exiting oversaturated towns and city centres could be a good way to evolve.