Domino's Dominates Today, But This Pizza Chain Was No. 1 Worldwide In 1971

In an era of undisputed dominance from Domino's — the best-selling pizza on planet Earth today — it may surprise some to know that its reign as the king of fast-food pizza has been a recent development. If you were to travel back in time 50 years or so, another pizza giant was at the top of the food chain: Pizza Hut. According to the Pizza Hut Foundation, in 1971 the chain was the number one pizza chain not just in the U.S. but throughout the world, in both total sales and total number of locations.

Pizza Hut got its start in Wichita, Kansas (coincidentally the birthplace of another famous fast-food chain, White Castle). The original Hut opened in 1958, but it wasn't until 1963 that its defining architectural feature emerged: the red roof, designed by a Chicago architect, George Lindstrom. The building itself is one of the most iconic aspects of the brand — even their logo comes from the distinctive shape of the building's roof.

Going to a Pizza Hut back in the day was completely unlike Domino's. It was primarily a dine-in spot, with all-you-can-eat buffets, salad bars, and limitless ice cream. Kids would have birthday parties and cash in coupons for personal pan pizzas, thanks to the Book It! Program (which, you might be surprised to learn, is still going strong today as an app). Maybe it's the nostalgia talking, but it truly felt like a magical place at one point in time.

Although Pizza Hut was once the star fast-food joint of the 70s, it had a slow fall from its peak of popularity in the decades that followed. You could point to a few factors as to why: A decline in customers going out to eat at chain restaurants, a rise in delivery orders, and an increase in frozen pizzas at the supermarket. Perhaps the clearest distinction is that Pizza Hut was initially designed as a restaurant and adapted to the delivery market later, whereas Domino's has been delivery-only from the get-go.

By 2018, Pizza Hut was officially no longer the biggest pizza chain in the United States, as Domino's claimed that title. A steady decline of locations has followed since then. In 2019 alone, 500 dine-in locations closed, with hundreds more closing in the following years. Yet even if your local Pizza Hut has closed, that iconic building might still be there; perhaps it's been converted into another restaurant or store, but it's still easy to recognize what it once was from its trapezoidal roof design. Even after the brand's fall from grace, those long-lost huts may stick around longer than any of us.