On Air Now

The Sean Show

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Now Playing

M People

Moving On Up

Goodbye garlic bread? Sandbrook Park Pizza Hut to shut as 68 UK branches axed

Rochdale’s Pizza Hut restaurant is among dozens of UK branches set to permanently shut, after the company that operated the brand in the UK fell into administration.

The branch at Sandbrook Park has been named as one of 68 Pizza Hut restaurants to close across the country. It joins six others in Greater Manchester, including outlets in Ashton, Bolton, Oldham, Urmston, Wigan and Manchester Fort.

The closures come after DC London Pie Ltd, which had only acquired the Pizza Hut UK restaurant business from insolvency last year, appointed administrators FTI Consulting this week. The administration triggered a major restructuring of the business.

Pizza Hut’s remaining UK dine-in branches have been acquired by Yum! Brands, the American company that owns the global Pizza Hut franchise. The rescue deal secures 64 restaurants and preserves around 1,277 jobs. However, it is estimated that 1,210 staff across the UK are at risk of redundancy due to the combined closure of both restaurant and delivery-only sites.

Pizza Hut Europe and Canada said the restructure aimed to "safeguard our guest experience and protect jobs where possible", with an emphasis on operational stability and supporting staff through the transition.

The Rochdale restaurant had been part of the Sandbrook Park leisure complex for many years and underwent a refurbishment in 2015 to reflect the brand’s then-new American diner style.

The business has faced increasing financial pressures since the pandemic and has struggled to compete with newer, more agile food outlets. Despite a legacy in the UK dating back to 1973, when the first branch opened, the chain has steadily contracted after reaching a peak of nearly 700 restaurants by 2006.

HMRC filed a winding-up petition against DC London Pie just days before the administration, raising further questions about the business's viability.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club or enter your details below.

Donate to Roch Valley Radio

 

Recently Played

Newsletter

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

   

Coming up next On Air

  • The Sean Show

    6:00pm - 8:00pm

    Sean Cummiskey brings you the The Sensational Spectacular Sctillating Supersonic Sean Show! Or for ease The Sean Show! Top music and musings with “Great Number 2’s” and the home of tenuous links to songs from the news and “on this day!”.

  • The Midnight Special

    8:00pm - 10:00pm

    Craig, Christian and Tony bring a mix of songs & genres & nonsense, from brand new to classic.

  • Ben

    10:00pm - Midnight

    With Ben Chuvali

  • After Hours

    Midnight - 2:00am

    For the night owls, night workers and everyone still going while the rest of the town sleeps. Music, chat and company after dark.

  • Wide Awake Club

    2:00am - 5:00am

    For those who find themselves awake at 3am more often than they’d like. Calm music, understanding voices and quiet company.

  • Up Before the Alarm

    5:00am - 7:00am

    for early starters, commuters and anyone already on their second brew. Livelier music and new voices warming things up before breakfast.