The New Pizza Hut of the Future Looks Crazy

Pizza Hut has been losing its luster ever since the good old days of salad bars, Pac-man tables, and red plastic drink cups. Customers are looking for better value, and chains like the Hut are trying to figure out how to win back inflation-weary customers.

Enter: Hut ‘N Go, Pizza Hut’s brand new restaurant design. It’s pretty different from the Huts you’re familiar with, both past and present, because it’s more like a fast food chain than a pizza joint. Let’s see what Hut ‘N Go is like.

Pizza Hut probably figured that people want convenience, but delivery comes at a steep price for both the customer and the business. So the new Hut ‘N Go location has a drive-thru, making it look and feel more like a burgers-and-fries fast food restaurant.

If you’ve ever ordered from Little Caesars, you’re probably already familiar with the carryout order pick-up cabinets that Hut ‘N Go offers since they’ve had them for years. It’s a wall of heated boxes where your order will be stored until you use a code to unlock the door and grab your hot food. It’s convenient and means you don’t have to wait in line just for a pick-up order.

Imagine an Auntie Anne’s or a Chipotle, with a glass-windowed prep area where your food is being prepared. That’s what the new Pizza Hut concept is sporting, as well. So you’ll be able to watch as an employee tops your pizza with triple pepperoni and pineapple (no judgment).

Sure, you can still get your Meat Lovers on stuffed crust, but there’s a new Hut ‘N Go Menu to better utilize the drive-thru. It’ll have a selection of “ready now” items so you won’t have a car clogging up the drive-thru waiting 30 minutes for a pizza. (Anyone else reminded of Little Caesars’ Hot ‘N Ready pizza?)

Ordering will also be a little different. You’ll be able to order ahead online or from the mobile app, as usual, but you’ll also be able to order from a touchscreen kiosk in store as well.

Related:This Vintage Pizza Hut Menu Is Serving Up Some Serious 80s Nostalgia

This is the first Hut ‘N Go concept restaurant in the U.S. It’s located at 8605 Ohio Drive in Plano, Texas, and it replaced an existing Pizza Hut that had been at that location for decades. It’s already open, and online ordering is turned on at the location.

Related:These Vintage Pizza Hut Photos Make Us Want to Time Travel

Though this new-style Pizza Hut may seem weird to Americans, it’s standard in 80 markets worldwide. There’s 2,000 international locations with similar modern designs and tech, and research has shown that the Hut ‘N Go concept has better customer experiences and also increases sales. While it’s just a test in the U.S., if it’s successful, you can probably expect to see Hut ‘N Go near you in the future.

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