News

Multi-unit Burger King, Popeyes franchisee, adds Pizza Hut stores

April 5, 2019

Large-scale Burger King and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee, GPS Hospitality, has acquired 75 Pizza Hut restaurants in Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee, extending the company's properties footprint from 11 to 13 states, with expectations of breaking 500 restaurants total this year. 

A news release said GPS Hospitality spent months of reflection and research to identify its third brand, and plans to solidify its agreements to acquire its newest restaurants shortly. 

"Pizza Hut is a mature and beloved brand with dominance in the space," GPS Hospitality CEO Tom Garrett said in the release. "Not only does the brand see value in investing in its people, but also positioning itself as an industry leader with its recent NFL sponsorship, plus innovations with its app and delivery offerings. 

"Our partnership with Pizza Hut is a deliberate move to align ourselves with a brand that reflects our values and business sensibilities. The addition of the third brand and expansion into new territories are major milestones for our company."

GPS Hospitality said it has also named Kent Dawdy as vice president of operations to spearhead this new division within the company. He brings more than 30 years of QSR industry experience to the job, including more than 20 years with Arby's and most recently, Sterling Restaurants, which operates Shane's Rib Shacks and Moe's Southwest Grills. He also previously held an equity position with KFC and Taco Bell operator, KBP foods. 

Rounding out GPS' Pizza Hut leadership team are Directors of Operations Zack Wilcox and Travis Kirkland, promoted from district leaders in the company's Burger King division.