Starboard Dining, a subsidiary of Starboard Hotels, has acquired the franchise of 27 existing Pizza Hut delivery and takeaway sites, supporting 540 jobs.
This new franchising partnership with Starboard Dining enables Pizza Hut Delivery to expand its operations in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West of England, building on the strong growth seen in 2020.
The agreement will provide considerable investment into dozens of communities through renovation of existing Huts, as well as opening several new Huts in the Midlands, Yorkshire and North West in the year ahead.
Starboard first ventured into the world of takeaway in 2017 to utilise its franchising experience. Frazer Callingham, Managing Director at Starboard Dining, said, “We’re thrilled to be joining Pizza Hut in this new partnership.
'This 27-store portfolio offers an amazing opportunity to continue our expansion into the dining and hospitality space, using our extensive experience in both sectors to continue growing the Pizza Hut Delivery franchise, and to be able to make a positive impact in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West by contributing to life on the high street and creating jobs in our communities.
He continued, “The addition of this successful delivery chain to the Starboard portfolio will be welcomed by our hotel teams and by our other Starboard Dining business Wok To Walk. It is a natural fit as Starboard looks to further broaden its presence in the hospitality sector.”
Neil Manhas, General Manager UK at Pizza Hut Delivery, commented, “Pizza Hut Delivery is delighted to welcome a new franchise partner, Starboard, into our network in the Midlands Yorkshire and the North West.
'We’re excited to see what new growth 2021 has in store for us, including increasing our footprint through strategic franchising deals such as this.
'Starboard and our other franchisees play a key role in helping us to deliver customer favourites safely, provide essential jobs and support our communities throughout the pandemic, including our delivery of over 250,000 free meals for the NHS.”
Christie & Co was appointed by Pizza Hut to find the right franchisee for this portfolio of Pizza Hut stores and successfully navigated the new partnership with Starboard.
Simon Chaplin, Senior Director of Corporate Pubs & Restaurants at Christie & Co, said, “This was an ambitious sale and a new route for Pizza Hut to engage with communities in the North West and Midlands.
'Finding new franchise partners in a pandemic is no easy task, but the strong performance and ever-improving sales figures coming from the estate made this an attractive business move for Starboard and Pizza Hut alike.
'We are delighted to have worked with Pizza Hut on this sale and look forward to supporting on many more successful franchising partnerships in the future.”
