Pizza Hut Restaurants has unveiled a new look and feel for its restaurant on the Strand, having invested £500k. It is the first flagship Hut to be re-opened in London as a result of the brand’s investment across the capital, which this year will total £1.67 million with refurbishments of other Huts including Marble Arch, Piccadilly and Queensway.
The re-opening – part of a multi-million pound nationwide re-design programme by the casual dining brand – also marks the launch of a brand new menu that includes, for the first time ever, fries, Kentucky style BBQ ribs, onion rings and warm waffles.
New cocktail bar concept
And marking a unique direction, the Strand restaurant features a new cocktail bar concept and full drinks menu, offering guests an original Hut experience and providing a night-time destination to appeal to a wider customer base in central London.
Staff have received specialist training on how to prepare hard shakes, daiquiris and mojitos, and an education on the history and “theatre” of cocktail making, including what cocktails complement which new menu items.
Famous Pizza Hut icons still centre stage
All of Pizza Hut Restaurants’ famous icons – including the Ice Cream Factory, Salad Station and Buffet – still take centre stage, but as part of the new, interactive design that includes a central preparation station offering a range of desserts including warm cookie dough, and a self-service soft drinks hub allowing guests to refill drinks at their leisure.
The redesigned restaurant provides a more open and inviting dining space, and also benefits from enhanced lighting schemes and bolder external facades, showcasing the fresh food and vibrant atmosphere to set the benchmark in design and hospitality standards for the casual dining industry.
Cocktail bar is a real departure
Pizza Hut Restaurants Operations Director, Mike Spencer says, “The re-opening of the Strand restaurant represents a huge milestone as it has always been one of our most popular restaurants in the capital. While the redesign offers an exciting new atmosphere for our existing loyal customers, the new cocktail bar is a real departure for us and we hope to welcome new guests – both Londoners and visitors to the capital alike – looking for a different venue to enjoy a great night out with friends.”
The latest stage of investment is part of a broader £60 million refurbishment and restructuring programme of the business, secured through private equity investment from Rutland Partners in late 2012.
Pizza Hut Restaurants’ newly re-designed Hut can be found at 56-59 Strand, London WC2N 5LR.
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