PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pizza Hut, the world’s largest pizza company, is changing the game for the gluten-free community by launching Gluten-Free Pizzas through a partnership with Udi’s Gluten Free (Udi’s) and the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG).
Beginning January 26, customers can order a Cheese-only or Pepperoni Pizza Hut Gluten-Free Pizza at select restaurants nationwide. Udi’s, the No. 1 gluten-free brand in North America, is providing the signature crust for the new Gluten-Free Pizza. The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG), the pioneer non-profit organization in verifying gluten-free food, was instrumental in the in-store training process for Pizza Hut.
“We partnered with the most-respected names in the gluten-free community to develop a best-in-class pizza for those looking to limit gluten in their diet,” said David Gibbs, global CEO, Pizza Hut. “Our Gluten-Free Pizza has all the flavor America has come to expect from a Pizza Hut pizza, which is why we are thrilled to add this great pizza to our lineup.”
The Cheese-only and Pepperoni Gluten-Free Pizzas are 10 inches and cut into six slices. Pricing starts at $9.99 (standard topping charges apply). For nutritional information, please visit pizzahut.com/nutrition.
“This is a great day for the gluten-free consumer,” said Stephen Hughes, CEO of Boulder Brands, parent company of Udi’s. “We’re teaming up with Pizza Hut and GIG to ensure the needs of this community are well-represented so they can enjoy the simple pleasure of ordering a pizza.”
The Process of Making a Gluten-Free Pizza
To prepare for the introduction of the Pizza Hut Cheese-only and Pepperoni Gluten-Free Pizzas, GIG partnered with Pizza Hut to develop customized procedures for preparing the pizzas inside Pizza Hut restaurants. For starters, the Udi’s gluten-free crust, which is the foundation for every Gluten-Free Pizza served at Pizza Hut, as well as the cheese, marinara sauce and pepperoni, will be kept in a designated Gluten-Free Kit inside each restaurant. All team members preparing the Gluten-free Pizza will wear gloves, bake the fresh-to-order pizza on parchment paper and use a designated gluten-free pizza cutter. Then, the pizzas will be placed in pizza boxes featuring Udi’s Gluten-Free crust for delivery.
“GIG is proud to partner with Pizza Hut and Udi’s to bring individuals looking to limit gluten in their diet another dining option,” says Channon Quinn, Director of Industry Programs for the Gluten Intolerance Group. “We are extremely excited that Pizza Hut has made the decision to move into the gluten-free market and provide our community with a high quality, brand-recognizable product.”
Reduced-Gluten Options
For customers simply looking to limit gluten in their diet, Pizza Hut will offer pizzas prepared on the Udi’s® gluten-free crust topped with select ingredients (includes only marinara sauce as the base, and excludes meatballs, Sauce Drizzles and Crust Flavors). “Create Your Own” pizza options are not GIG certified.
To check out the list of Pizza Hut restaurants offering the new Cheese-only and Pepperoni Gluten-Free Pizzas and the reduced gluten options, visit pizzahut.com/glutenfree and enter a zip code or address for delivery or carryout. Because Pizza Hut kitchens are not gluten-free environments, customers should consult their medical advisor as to what is safe for them.
Late in 2014, Pizza Hut introduced a series of expanded menu items, including 10 crust flavors, five new ingredients, four drizzles, additional sauces as well as a new dough type called “Skinny Slice.” The new “Flavor of Now” menu is designed to offer the ultimate customizable experience for consumers, as well as feature ingredients and flavors unavailable at traditional national pizza restaurants. More information is available at pizzahutnewsroom.com.
Pizza Hut will be serving up the first tastes of its Cheese-only Gluten-Free Pizza and Pepperoni Gluten-Free Pizza at A&E's official after party for the 20th Annual Critics’ Choice Movie Awards on January 15.
About Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), is the world’s largest pizza company with $12 billion in global sales and more than 15,000 restaurants in 93 countries worldwide. In 2014, Pizza Hut was named the Harris Poll Equitrend® Pizza Brand of the Year and received the top score in Customer Satisfaction among limited-service restaurant chains from the American Customer Satisfaction Index® (ACSI). Pizza Hut began 56 years ago in Wichita, Kan., and is the proprietor of the BOOK IT!® Program, the longest-running, corporate-supported children’s literacy program in America.
About Udi’s® Gluten Free
Udi’s Gluten Free (Udi’s), a division of Boulder Brands USA Inc., is a leader in the fast growing market for gluten-free foods in North America. Udi’s markets a diversified and growing range of gluten-free products under the well-recognized Udi’s brand in the retail market, and since mid-2011, food service channels. Udi’s is a leading brand in gluten-free bread and bakery products. In addition, Udi’s markets other gluten-free products in the frozen entree, snack and granola categories. For more information, please visit www.udisglutenfree.com and boulderbrands.com or call 303-657-6366. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/udisglutenfree and Twitter @udisglutenfree.
About Gluten Intolerance Group
Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIG) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit association funded by private donations, membership proceeds and industry programs. It relies on tax-deductible contributions to support its many innovative industry, service, social and awareness programs. GIG has been a highly respected leader in the Gluten-Free community since it was founded in 1974. In addition to 100+ local branches across the United States, GIG has also increased its presence internationally to 27 countries. It is headquartered in Auburn, WA. More information is available at www.gluten.org.
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