Pizza Hut converts first Eagle Boys store

Pizza HutPizza Hut has taken over the ailing Eagle Boys chain with the first of more than 50 Eagle Boys outlets switching to Pizza Hut officially opened in Sydney yesterday at northern beaches suburb Collaroy.

The national rollout will bring Pizza Hut’s network to over 320 stores, representing the biggest-ever network for Pizza Hut in Australia.

Around half of the Eagle Boys stores will switch to Pizza Hut, which is now under Australian management for the first time, by the end of the year. Umina on New South Wales’ central coast will open next week, followed by stores in Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, regional NSW and Queensland, respectively.

“The future is all about growth and innovation for Pizza Hut and converting (Eagle Boys) stores into Pizza Hut over the next few months is one way we are bringing a dynamic new energy and new customer focus to the market,” said Lisa Ransom, Pizza Hut Australia CEO.

“It’s a significant opportunity to grow the distribution and brand presence of Pizza Hut for our customers and take advantage of the economies of scale that come with being a bigger organisation,” Ransom said.

The new Pizza Hut Collaroy store is being operated by Michael Cooper, an Eagle Boys franchisee for seven years who said he was looking forward to the opportunities that will come from being a part of a revitalised Pizza Hut.

“The Pizza Hut team really understands what it is like to work as a small business serving the local community and how important it is to maintain a local feel. It’s also great news for local jobs and local pizza lovers,” Cooper said.

Following yesterday’s launch, a new equity store in Sydney’s Newport will open in early December.

“We’ve got skin in the game now and Newport is the perfect place for us to open our store in time for a fantastic summer ahead. We’re excited to be able to generate around 20 local jobs and become a part of the local community,” Ransom said.

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