When it comes to tossing dough around, no one does it more often than Pizza Hut. The division of YUM! Brands operates the world's #1 pizza chain with more than 13,000 outlets in nearly 100 countries worldwide. The chain serves a variety of pizza styles, including its flagship Pan Pizza, as well as Thin n' Crispy, Stuffed Crust, Hand Tossed, and Sicilian. Other menu items include pasta, salads, and sandwiches. Pizza Hut offers dine-in service in its characteristic red-roofed restaurants as well as carry-out and delivery service. Nearly 20% of its restaurants are company-operated; the remaining units are franchised or licensed.
The chain was founded in 1958 by Dan and Frank Carney. They chose the name "Pizza Hut" since the sign they purchased only had enough space for nine characters and spaces. The Original Pizza Hut building was later relocated to the Wichita State University campus. Additional restaurants were opened, with the first franchise unit opening in 1959 in Topeka, Kansas.