LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Yum! Brands announced it will purchase the remaining 50 percent interest of its 541 Pizza Huts in the United Kingdom from Whitbread PLC, its long-time joint-venture partner, for $183 million plus the assumption of $25 million in certain debt and liabilities.
According to a news release, the transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter pending regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Yum plans to finance the purchase with debt.
Whitbread is selling its Pizza Hut shares to focus fully on its core hospitality and leisure business.
"Pizza Hut is a powerhouse brand around the globe and the leader in casual dining in the United Kingdom, which has historically been one of the strongest markets for Yum! Restaurants International (YRI)," said David Novak, chairman and chief executive officer of Yum. "While recent sales trends for Pizza Hut U.K. have been soft, we believe in the long-term growth potential of this market. We are very pleased with this acquisition and plan to recoup much of this investment through refranchising."
In early June, Alasdair Murdoch, a Pizza Hut veteran, was appointed as managing director of Pizza Hut, U.K. Murdoch most recently led the turnaround and growth of the Pizza Hut business in France. He previously served as operations director for Pizza Hut in the U.K., where he successfully introduced the Pizza Hut Home Delivery business and improved operations. Once the acquisition is complete, Murdoch will report to Graham Allan, president of YRI.
"Alasdair Murdoch is an impressive leader who knows how to get excellent sales and profit results, and I am confident he will take our Pizza Hut business in the U.K. to the next level," Allan said.
- Room to improve in 2006 at Pizza Hut and Domino's Pizza Officials at Pizza Hut and Domino's Pizza say the slowing economy and high gas prices aren't the only reasons their sales softened in the first half of 2006.
- Whitbread eyes sale of Pizza Hut interest
