SYDNEY - Pizza Hut plans to double sales and increase its market share over the next five years by testing a co-branding of its fastfood franchise as Pasta Hut and offering restaurant-quality pasta.
Pizza Hut, said the move was an attempt to regain market share of the fastfoodmarket and would trial two Pasta Hut outlets in Sydney city's Martin Place and inner city Surry Hills.
Pizza Hut chief executive Albert Baladi said Pizza Hut had always been all about pizza and its "much loved pizzas" would remain on the menu."
"However, we will now be the first national pizza chain to offer delivery of restaurant-quality pasta at very affordable prices. We want to be as famous for our pasta as we are for pizza.
"The launch of tuscani pasta, along with testing the Pasta Hut brand, is the first step in Pizza Hut reinventing itself," Baladi said.
"The company is investing in significant changes in every area of the business in an effort to double the business within five years."
Baladi said global and local research showed pasta was the favourite food of seven out of every ten people.
Pizza Hut is asking Australians to vote for their preferred name Pizza Hut or Pasta Hut.
Voting will be online for the next six weeks.
Baladi said the company, which starts its financial year in December, had its best start to a new year in six years as people preferred a cheaper option during tough economic times.
