A Brief History of Pizza Hut’s BBQ Pizza
Pizza Hut first introduced the BBQ pizza in the mid-1990s when specialty pizzas were starting to gain popularity. It quickly became a menu staple due to its finger-lickin’ good barbecue flavor that was unique for a pizza. The recipe featured Pizza Hut’s sweet and smokey barbecue sauce as the base, loaded up with grilled all-white chicken, crispy bacon, fresh red onions, and shredded cheddar cheese.
The BBQ pizza quickly gained a loyal following among customers who kept ordering this tasty barbecue feast again and again. It was especially popular for feeding groups thanks to its abundant toppings that everyone could enjoy. Pizza Hut kept it as a permanent menu item for many years due to continual strong sales.
The Mysterious Disappearance of the BBQ Pizza
In 2015, Pizza Hut suddenly discontinued the BBQ chicken pizza with no warning or announcement. Its removal from menus left many long-time fans confused and disappointed. There was no official explanation given for why it was being removed.
The BBQ pizza simply vanished from Pizza Hut locations across the nation. When customers asked employees about it, they were given vague answers about it no longer being available. There were no indications it was just being temporarily removed from rotation.
This led to great speculation about why Pizza Hut would get rid of such a beloved specialty pizza with a strong fan following. Many customers took to the internet to express their frustration over losing their go-to order.
Why Did Pizza Hut Likely Discontinue the BBQ Pizza?
While Pizza Hut has never provided an official reason for removing the BBQ pizza from menus, several factors likely influenced the decision:
Limited Time Offer Strategy – Around 2015, Pizza Hut shifted focus towards limited time offers and seasonal specialty pizzas rather than permanent menu items. The BBQ pizza may have been discontinued to make room for short-term gimmicky pizzas.
Menu Simplification – Pizza Hut was working on streamlining its menu selection to include more premium pizzas. The BBQ chicken may have been cut alongside other value menu items.
Declining Popularity – While the pizza had a cult following, it may not have been selling as well anymore compared to newer specialty pizzas on the menu.
Cost Cutting – Removing less popular pizzas was one way Pizza Hut looked to reduce costs and increase profit margins. The BBQ pizza ingredients may have been too expensive compared to sales.
Lack of Differentiation – With many other pizza chains offering BBQ chicken pizzas, the Pizza Hut version may have lost its uniqueness. They looked to create more innovative offerings.
Will the BBQ Pizza Ever Make a Comeback?
Fans have continued to plead for Pizza Hut to bring the BBQ pizza back from retirement. There have been several online petitions circulated asking for its return that have collected thousands of signatures.
Unfortunately, it seems unlikely Pizza Hut has any plans to reintroduce the BBQ chicken pizza as a permanent menu item again. However, there is still hope it could return as a limited time offer down the road.
Pizza Hut sometimes brings back retired specialty pizzas for short promotional windows to capitalize on nostalgia. The BBQ could make a comeback for a summer LTO or for a customer appreciation event. Fans will have to keep their eyes peeled for any hints of barbecue sauce-based promotions.
How to Order a Close Replica of the BBQ Chicken Pizza
While the original BBQ pizza remains discontinued at Pizza Hut, those craving that sweet and tangy barbecue pizza flavor do have some options to get a very similar pie:
- Order a Create Your Own pizza with barbecue sauce as the base and add chicken, bacon, onion, and cheddar cheese as toppings.
- Select the Buffalo Chicken pizza and ask for barbecue sauce instead of Buffalo sauce.
- Choose the Cheese Lover’s Plus pizza and request barbecue sauce drizzled over the top after baking.
- Order a half-and-half pizza with one half barbecue chicken and one half another specialty pizza.
- Ask if any local Pizza Hut locations still have any frozen original BBQ chicken pizzas available.
While the loss of the BBQ pizza remains a disappointment for longtime fans, Pizza Hut continues focusing on new specialty options. But who knows, with enough customer requests, the barbecue classic could return in the future – even if just for a limited time.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Pizza Hut BBQ Pizza
Q: When was the BBQ pizza first introduced at Pizza Hut?
A: Pizza Hut launched the BBQ chicken pizza as a specialty menu item in the mid-1990s, where it quickly gained popularity for its sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.
Q: What were the standard toppings on the original BBQ chicken pizza?
A: The classic toppings included barbecue sauce as the base, grilled all-white chicken, bacon, fresh red onion, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Q: Why did Pizza Hut decide to discontinue the BBQ chicken pizza?
A: While no official reason was given, it was likely removed to make room for new limited time offers, streamline the menu, reduce costs if it wasn’t selling well, and refresh their specialty pizza lineup.
Q: Does Pizza Hut ever bring back retired specialty pizzas?
A: Yes, Pizza Hut will sometimes bring back fan favorite retired pizzas for a limited time, such as during the summer or for special promotions.
Q: Can you still order a BBQ chicken pizza similar to the original from Pizza Hut?
A: While not exactly the same, you can customize a pizza with barbecue sauce, chicken, bacon, and onions to mimic the classic BBQ pizza recipe.
Q: Are there any petitions requesting Pizza Hut bring back the BBQ chicken pizza?
A: Yes, there are several online petitions started by fans asking for the return of the BBQ pizza that have collected thousands of signatures.
Q: What are some replacement ideas for fans missing the Pizza Hut BBQ pizza?
A: Options include trying BBQ chicken pizzas from other restaurants, making your own at home, or customizing a Pizza Hut pie to replicate it as close as possible.
Conclusion
The mysterious disappearance of the popular BBQ chicken pizza from Pizza Hut menus left many fans disappointed and wondering what exactly happened. While no definitive explanation was ever given, several likely factors influenced the decision to retire this barbecue classic, including limited time offer strategies, menu streamlining, declining popularity or cost issues. Even though the odds of it returning seem slim, there is still hope Pizza Hut could break out this specialty pizza again in the future, if temporarily. In the meantime, diehard BBQ pizza lovers still have some options to get a similar tasted experience from Pizza Hut using add-ons and substitutions. No matter what, this pizza will live on in nostalgic memories of better barbecue days gone by.