Do you have fond memories of dining at Pizza Hut as a kid?
Just thinking of hanging out at Pizza Hut brings back fond memories for me. I’ll never forget when my neighborhood friends and I were old enough to dine there without our parents. We pooled our money together and bought a pizza to share. We were living the dream.
Today, I still can’t believe that the internationally known pizza restaurant was founded in my home city, Wichita. In 1958, two Wichita State University students, Dan and Frank Carney, opened the first restaurant on the east side of town, staffed by family, fellow fraternity brothers, and friends. What started as a humble side hustle for a couple of college students has grown to 18,000 Pizza Hut restaurants in over 100 countries (Source: Yum! Brands, 2021).
Pizza Hut enthusiasts will get a kick out of visiting the Pizza Hut Museum on Wichita State University’s Innovation campus – the original “Home of the Hut.” It is the actual original Pizza Hut building! Open to the public and free to tour, the interactive museum showcases everything you love about the business, from authentic artifacts to chronological timelines.
How did it all start? The Carney brothers borrowed $600 from their mom to open the first restaurant on Kellogg and Bluff Streets. When they eventually sold the business to Pepsi Company in 1977, it was worth $300,000,000. Now, that’s how you build a business! As they say, “No one loves pizza more than Pizza Hut.” To read more about the company’s growth, visit their blog page.
Over the years, the brand has evolved to align with pop culture trends. (Does anyone remember the commercials featuring celebrities?) They made history as the first company to deliver food to space. Additionally, they influenced children’s love of reading. I was a product of the BOOK IT program, a literacy initiative encouraging students to read, and helping kids access books.
After reading a book, a gold star sticker was placed on my Pizza Hut BOOK IT button. Once I completed all five stars on the button, I earned a Personal Pan Pizza®! Perhaps that explains my love of reading and why I eventually became a high school English teacher.
Pizza Hut’s influence is apparent as you tour the museum. You’ll appreciate the interactive space offering visitors a chance to walk down memory (pizza!) lane. You’re encouraged to experience the Tactile Library and take a selfie with the restaurant chain’s original mascot, Pizza Pete. Warning: When you exit the building, you’ll crave a slice of pizza. What will you order for dine-in or delivery?
Did you know that Pizza Hut delivered pizzas to The White House in 1989 after First Lady Barbara Bush decided to host a pizza party? A favorite meal choice of Americans, the company launched online ordering in 1994, making getting a pie delivered to your door much easier.
Don’t forget! The Pizza Hut Museum is open to the public, and admission is free. Review the museum’s hours and plan your visit to the original Home of the Hut. Do you consider yourself the ultimate Pizza Hut fan? Stay up to date to learn about product releases and campaign launches via their Press Room page.
Perhaps you can’t make it to Wichita to visit the museum? Take a virtual journey here.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a Meat Lover’s® pizza to order.
I had no idea there was a Pizza Hut museum! What a fun place to visit! It’s a fascinating insight into the history of the company! Thanks for sharing this guide!
And when you’re at the museum (on the Wichita State University campus), you’re only a short walk away from buying a slice on campus!
Who would have thought?? A Pizza Hut museum. Thank you for the history and the photographs. It’s an interesting little story.
Anne, You’re welcome. Wichitans, like me, are incredibly proud to claim it as part of our city’s history. It’s hard to imagine that Pizza Hut, which was started in Wichita, made a HUGE global impact. They even sent pizza to space!
I would love to visit this museum . I like that you added how they started with only only $600. The decor looks so retro and great for a mini photoshoot. After leaving this free experience, I would love to grab a slice of pizza .
Kayy, Thanks for reading it! It just proves that you can start a successful business with a small amount of money as long as you evolve with the times as the Carney brothers did.
I love Pizza Hut and have so many great memories eating there in high school and college! I had no idea it has been open since 1958! Wow that’s impressive and think it would be fun to see the original to learn about its history. Ok now I’m craving some pizza…
I was craving pizza the entire time I was inside the museum! It’s the world’s smallest museum but it makes a high impact on you. Thanks for reading my post!
I used to love Pizza Hut! Wonder if it would taste as good as an adult. Might have to find out with a trip here!
Jamie, Indeed! Order a pizza and then take it to the museum for a “pizza selfie!”
This is crazy, I didn’t even know this existed! Thanks for putting this place on the map.
My pleasure! I hope you get the chance to explore it someday.
I would love to visit this museum some day! Pizza Hut was my post high school football game hangout. This museum would probably bring back great memories!
One step inside of the museum and you’re taken right by in your mind to those moments! I’m glad this post brought back fun memories for you. Plan a visit!