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In the past, Pizza Hut was the favorite for parents and children to enjoy its unlimited dining experience, unlimited salad bar, and make-your-own dessert.

However fewer patrons are visiting the chain these days, and it is closing half of its UK outlets after being rescued from insolvency for the second occasion this year.

I remember going Pizza Hut when I was a child,” explains a young adult. “It was a tradition, you'd go on a Sunday – make a day of it.” However, at present, as a young adult, she states “it's no longer popular.”

For 23-year-old Martina, certain features Pizza Hut has been recognized for since it launched in the UK in the seventies are now less appealing.

“How they do their buffet and their salad station, it feels like they are lowering standards and have lower standards... They're giving away so much food and you're like ‘How?’”

Since food prices have increased significantly, Pizza Hut's unlimited dining format has become increasingly pricey to operate. As have its restaurants, which are being cut from 132 to just over 60.

The chain, in common with competitors, has also faced its costs increase. In April this year, labor expenses increased due to increases in the legal wage floor and an rise in employer social security payments.

Chris, 36, and Joanne, 29 say they used to go at Pizza Hut for a date “from time to time”, but now they order in Domino's and think Pizza Hut is “not good value”.

Based on your order, Pizza Hut and Domino's costs are comparable, notes a food expert.

Although Pizza Hut provides off-premise options through delivery platforms, it is missing out to larger chains which specialize to this market.

“Another pizza company has managed to dominate the off-premise pizza industry thanks to intensive advertising and constantly running deals that make shoppers feel like they're saving money, when in reality the original prices are relatively expensive,” says the specialist.

Yet for Chris and Joanne it is acceptable to get their date night sent directly.

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

In the warmer season, quick-service eateries saw a 6% drop in patrons compared to last summer.

Additionally, one more competitor to restaurant and takeaway pizzas: the cook-at-home oven pizza.

Will Hawkley, head of leisure and hospitality at a leading firm, explains that not only have grocery stores been offering high-quality prepared pies for a long time – some are even offering pizza-making appliances.

“Evolving preferences are also playing a factor in the success of casual eateries,” states Mr. Hawkley.

The growing trend of low-carb regimens has driven sales at chicken shops, while hitting sales of carb-heavy pizza, he continues.

As people go out to eat less frequently, they may look for a more high-quality meal, and Pizza Hut's classic look with vinyl benches and nostalgic table settings can feel more retro than premium.

The rise of artisanal pizza places” over the last 10 to 15 years, including boutique chains, has “dramatically shifted the public's perception of what excellent pie is,” explains the food expert.

“A crisp, airy, digestible pizza with a carefully curated additions, not the excessively rich, thick and crowded pizzas of the past. This, in my view, is what's led to Pizza Hut's decline,” she states.

“What person would spend nearly eighteen pounds on a modest, low-quality, underwhelming pizza from a large brand when you can get a gorgeous, skillfully prepared traditional pie for a lower price at one of the many real Italian restaurants around the country?

“The decision is simple.”

An independent operator, who operates a pizza van based in a regional area says: “People haven’t stopped liking pizza – they just want improved value.”

He says his adaptable business can offer premium pizza at affordable costs, and that Pizza Hut struggled because it failed to adapt with evolving tastes.

At an independent chain in a city in southwest England, the proprietor says the pizza market is diversifying but Pizza Hut has not provided anything new.

“There are now slice concepts, artisanal styles, new haven, artisan base, wood-fired, Detroit – it's a wonderful array for a pizza enthusiast to try.”

He says Pizza Hut “should transform” as the youth don't have any fond memories or attachment to the company.

Over time, Pizza Hut's market has been divided and spread to its trendier, more nimble rivals. To maintain its high labor and location costs, it would have to raise prices – which industry analysts say is difficult at a time when personal spending are decreasing.

The leadership of Pizza Hut's international markets said the buyout aimed “to protect our guest experience and protect jobs where possible”.

The executive stated its immediate priority was to maintain service at the remaining 64 restaurants and delivery sites and to support colleagues through the change.

But with large sums going into running its restaurants, it probably cannot to spend heavily in its delivery service because the sector is “complicated and partnering with existing external services comes at a expense”, analysts say.

Still, experts suggest, reducing expenses by leaving competitive urban areas could be a effective strategy to evolve.