The chain, which launched its first restaurant in Britain in 1973, is replacing its pizza-focused menu with a menu consisting mainly of pasta dishes.

This means that as well as the traditional deluxe pizzas, customers will also have the option of ordering more sophisticated dishes such as tomato and mozzarella mezzaluna and prawn and crayfish arrabiata.

The re-branding is part of an £18 million revamp package designed to attract new customers and move it into more upmarket terrain.

As part of the revamp, the chain is temporarily naming 30 of its branches Pasta Hut.

Pizza Hut boss Alasdair Murdoch said: "We've really been on a journey for four or five years, trying to make our food better, offer more variety and quality for the customers.

"Now we're putting our food above the parapet. We're trying to say to people: 'Yes, we're great at pizzas, but we're also great at salads and pasta.' Pasta is around 3 or 4 per cent of our sales. I'm very sure in a couple of weeks' time that will be 10 per cent."

Mr Murdoch said they have also upgraded their distinctive salad bar and have made improvements in areas including the nutrition and quality of ingredients in their pizzas and pastas.

A statement from the company also says that the restaurant plans to sneak 'hidden vegetables in kids' meals'.

The re-naming is for a trial period only and customers can offer their thoughts on the new-look restaurants at Pastahut.co.uk.

The company will be keen to hear feedback from customers since the decision to change such a big, household name is potentially a very risky one.

In 1998, Kellogg's briefly changed the name of Coco Pops to Choco Krispies in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and South Africa so that they could be in line with Germany and Spain, where it is known by this name. However, after falling sales and a telephone poll in which the British public voted, its name was reverted in 1999.

Another classic British brand Opal Fruits were renamed Starburst in 1998, the name under which they had been exported to the US in the seventies. The original name is now set to return in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the change.

Cadbury reintroduced the Wispa last year after an internet campaign which also involved protesters storming a stage at the Glastonbury festival.

I never get Pizza Hut here, but Pizza Company instead. You know you're not getting a quality pizza, so might as well just get more for your money. Buy 1 get 1 baby!

NoodleSoup said:

i've always been lucky enough to live nearby really good independent pizza joints, so there's no need for the dominos/pizza hut/papa johns.

though i do think that all pizza deliveries should come with little tubs of garlic butter for crust dipping. papa john might be a little nasty, but i think that idea is brilliant.


BRILLIANT, i said.

Anxiety said:

I usually get chain restaurant pizza because it's just a matter of convenience, but thankfully there is a place down near Khao San Road that makes 'real' pizzas so I just get one of those from time to time to keep my faith in the quality of pizza as a foodstuff alive.

NoodleSoup said:

we go even deeper in the well of depravity when we want convenient pizza. we keep several frozen party pizzas on hand, just in case we get a craving and can't be bothered to get dressed or call for delivery (hey, those calls can burn up a lot of energy).

I'm going to still call it Pizza Slut like I always have because I'm just that mature.

Who remembers the pizzone?

hokie said:

i was repulsed by that. the name reminds me of a cross between urine and the chubby guy from NSYNC.

hokie said:

i was repulsed by that. the name reminds me of a cross between urine and the chubby guy from NSYNC.

Anxiety said:

LOL... I used to have a crush on him







Ok, I still do

:gross:

JessieJ said:

hokie said:

He's so my type

JessieJ said:

Is the chubby one Joey Fatone?

hokie said:

no no NO NO NOOOO!!!

Anxiety said:

You're welcome.

I'm going to still call it Pizza Slut like I always have because I'm just that mature.

hokie said:

i'm imagining the hideous sound that stuff must make when you dig a spoon into it.

Anxiety said:

Like the sound of cranberry sauce finally sliding out of the can.

Anxiety said:

Like the sound of cranberry sauce finally sliding out of the can.