Pizza Hut® Launches Share a Slice of Hope™ Campaign to End World Hunger

DALLAS, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza Hut announced today a movement across its more than 7,200 U.S. restaurants that positions America's largest pizza chain as a leader in the fight against the global hunger epidemic. Pizza Hut is challenging America to "Share a Slice of Hope" during the 2011 World Hunger Relief campaign via multiple donation channels, including an exclusive integration with social game developer Zynga via online contributions at zynga.com/pizzahut through Oct. 31, 2011. More information about 2011 World Hunger Relief efforts at Pizza Hut and the Share a Slice of Hope initiative are available at pizzahut.com/slicesofhope.

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"Global hunger statistics are astounding, with nearly one billion people going days or weeks without a substantial meal," said Scott Bergren, Pizza Hut CEO. "We want to make a difference and we're asking our customers and employees to 'Share a Slice of Hope' with those in need.  Just $1 donated to the World Hunger Relief campaign feeds four children in need."

Zynga players looking to join the Share a Slice of Hope movement will get their chance to contribute within their favorite games. Pizza Hut has partnered with the world's leading social game developer to deliver the first ever offline to online contribution experience through Zynga.org for players in FarmVille, CityVille, Empires & Allies and The Pioneer Trail. Players will receive a choice of one exclusive, limited edition item for each contribution of $5 or more made through zynga.com/pizzahut, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the World Food Programme. 

"We're thrilled to join the World Food Programme and Pizza Hut in their battle against world hunger and to heighten awareness of the campaign among our players," added Laura Pincus Hartman, Director of External Partnerships for Zynga.org.

In addition to contributing through social gaming, online donations can be made to World Hunger Relief when completing an order at pizzahut.com. Customers can then share their donation with friends and followers on social media for the ultimate Share a Slice of Hope experience.

Pizza Hut is also encouraging customers to donate in-store when they visit their neighborhood restaurants. Customers who make a donation in-store may add a personalized pepperoni to a pizza-shaped sharing board displayed in each participating restaurant.

With a robust 2011 World Hunger Relief effort, Pizza Hut looks to surpass its record donation total from last year of nearly $2 million. To help meet this target, local Pizza Hut restaurants nationwide have set their own donation goals and will host events and fundraisers within their communities throughout the month-long campaign. All donations made during the 2011 World Hunger Relief campaign will benefit the World Food Programme's hunger relief efforts.

About World Hunger Relief

Yum! Brands' annual fall World Hunger Relief effort is the world's largest private sector hunger relief initiative, spanning 110 countries, 38,000 KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants and over one million employees, to raise awareness, volunteerism and funds for WFP and other hunger relief agencies.  Multi-Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera, the effort's global spokesperson, will appear in a new public service announcement this fall as well as advertising, online efforts and posters in KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants. Every U.S. dollar raised will go directly towards WFP's operations to fight hunger around the world.

Since World Hunger Relief launched in 2007, more than one million of the Company's employees, franchisees and their families have volunteered more than 21 million hours to aid hunger relief efforts in communities worldwide. The effort has raised nearly $85 million for WFP and other hunger relief organizations and is helping to provide over 350 million meals and save the lives of millions of people in remote corners of the world.

About Zynga Inc.

Zynga Inc. is the world's leading social game developer with more than 232 million monthly active users playing their games which include CityVille, FarmVille, Empires & Allies, Pioneer Trail, Words With Friends, Mafia Wars, Zynga Poker, Cafe World, and Treasure Isle. Zynga Inc games are available on a number of global platforms including Facebook, Google+, Tencent, MySpace, Yahoo, the iPad, the iPhone and Android devices. Through Zynga.org, Zynga players have raised more than $10 million for world social causes. Zynga Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco. For more information, visit www.zynga.com or www.zynga.org.

About Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut, America's Favorite Pizza, delivers more pizza, pasta and wings than any other restaurant. The only pizza company to be named a top ten franchise in 2009 by Entrepreneur Magazine, Pizza Hut began 50 years ago in Wichita, Kansas, and today operates nearly 10,000 restaurants in more than 90 countries. Pizza Hut, Inc. is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM). To check out what's new at Pizza Hut visit PizzaHut.com, or keep up with the brand via its social media channels at social.PizzaHut.com.

Media Contacts
For Pizza Hut: Luke DeRouen at 214.727.3708 or [email protected]    

For Zynga: Adam Isserlis at 917.921.8154 or [email protected]

SOURCE Pizza Hut