Pizza Hut® U.S. To Acquire Leading Online Ordering Provider QuikOrder

Acquisition of Long-Time Pizza Hut Technology Partner Expands Digital Ordering Capabilities

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Dec 04, 2018, 17:01 ET

PLANO, Texas, Dec. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), today announced that its U.S. business has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire QuikOrder, a leading online ordering software and service provider for the restaurant industry. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it marks one of Pizza Hut's largest acquisitions to date.

By acquiring QuikOrder's online ordering capabilities, Pizza Hut U.S. will improve its ability to deliver an easy and personalized online ordering experience and accelerate digital innovation across its base of more than 6,000 restaurants in the U.S. In 2018, approximately half of Pizza Hut U.S. sales were processed through QuikOrder's platform. Founded in 1997, QuikOrder specializes in developing and maintaining internet-ordering systems used across the QSR industry. It has served Pizza Hut U.S. for nearly two decades. Over that time, it has built an expert team that fully understands and meets Pizza Hut's specific needs. The acquisition will include: Pizza Hut's current digital ordering platforms, systems and services and QuikOrder's in-restaurant technology and ancillary services, as well as its future generation products and programming.

"We're doubling down on our commitment to digital and this deal positions Pizza Hut perfectly for the future," said Artie Starrs, President of Pizza Hut U.S. "We're also gaining access to an immensely talented group of developers and digital innovators. Together we can more quickly provide breakthrough products and convenient services to our customers that will allow for better franchise economics over the long term."

The proposed acquisition supports Pizza Hut's strategic commitment to further expand its digital capabilities, by taking full advantage of the stable, highly customized platform that QuikOrder developed for Pizza Hut in a way that provides greater flexibility and efficiency. This builds on the strides Pizza Hut has made over the past year, since entering into its Transformation Agreement with its franchisees, focused on improving operations and accelerating technology enhancements and e-commerce capabilities. In this time, Pizza Hut has introduced a range of innovative online ordering tools and services, such as a delivery tracker with text alerts, easy order options through voice-enabled digital assistants and social, and Hut Rewards, the only national pizza loyalty program that rewards members for every dollar spent on food online.

Greg Creed, Yum! Brands Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Yum! is always looking for ways to make our brands more distinctive, relevant and easy for customers who want delicious food at an irresistible value. The acquisition strengthens the brand's digital roadmap and innovation and aligns with the strategy we put in place to drive Pizza Hut's growth. We're excited by the opportunity this acquisition presents, and the future potential to scale QuikOrder's technology across the Yum! family."

"We've enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Pizza Hut and I couldn't be more pleased by this next phase of our relationship," said Jim Kargman, QuikOrder CEO. "Technology and innovation are the backbone of this business and I'm excited by what the future holds."

Pizza Hut's acquisition of QuikOrder is expected to close this month, subject to standard closing conditions.

About Pizza Hut®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE : YUM ), has more restaurant locations in the world than any other pizza company. Founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kan., Pizza Hut operates more than 16,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.

With easy order options including the Pizza Hut app, mobile site, and Amazon and Google devices, Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and has the only loyalty program, Hut Rewards, in the U.S. that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you order.

Pizza Hut is also the proprietor of The Literacy Project, an initiative designed to enable access, empower teachers and inspire a lifelong love of reading. The program is rooted in the foundation set by the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Program, which is the longest-running corporate supported literacy program, impacting more than 14 million students each year. For more information, visit www.pizzahut.com. Pizza Hut is the Official and Only Pizza Sponsor of the NFL and NCAA^®.

About Yum! Brands
Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, has over 45,000 restaurants in more than 140 countries and territories and is one of the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders in North America. In 2018, Yum! Brands was recognized as part of the inaugural Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index and ranked among the top 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Corporate Responsibility Magazine. In 2017, Yum! Brands was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index. The company's restaurant brands – KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell – are the global leaders of the chicken, pizza and Mexican-style food categories. Worldwide, the Yum! Brands system opens over seven new restaurants per day on average, making it a leader in global retail development.

About QuikOrder
Located on Chicago's Magnificent Mile, QuikOrder.com was developed by QuikOrder, Inc., a Chicago-based company specializing in developing and maintaining internet ordering systems used by businesses of all sizes—from your local restaurant to the world's largest pizza chains—since 1997.

Contacts
Pizza Hut Media Relations: Brett LeVecchio, 972.338.8288, [email protected]
Yum! Media Relations: Virginia Ferguson, 502.874.8200, [email protected]
Yum! Investor Relations: Keith Siegner, 502.874.7112, [email protected]

SOURCE Pizza Hut