Pizza Hut has been bringing its signature stuffed crust and pan-style pies to more parts of the country in 2024 as it debuts new stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Colorado, and other markets.
However, the chain's footprint also recently took a blow after it abruptly closed 19 locations across two states.
Four of the newly shuttered Pizza Hut restaurants were in Central Ohio, while the other 15 were in Northwest Indiana.
While the company has not provided a reason for the Ohio closures, the Indiana closures are linked to an ongoing legal battle between Pizza Hut and one of its franchisees.
All of the 15 shuttered Indiana locations are owned by EYM Group, which franchises 142 total Pizza Hut stores across Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
EYM Group has been accused of defaulting on its payments to Pizza Hut and failing to pay millions of dollars in owed funds.
The franchisor and franchisee entered into a forbearance agreement in 2023, which temporarily allowed EYM Group to keep its franchise agreement with Pizza Hut in place as it worked to resolve its outstanding debts and obligations.
The closed Indiana Pizza Huts were located in Portage, Chesterton, Valparaiso, Hobart, Winfield, Crown Point, Schererville, Griffith, Hammond, Merrillville, LaPorte, Michigan City, Lowell, Cedar Lake, and Munster.