Pizza Hut changes its name to Pasta Hut

Launching a new range of pastas today, the company announced that this year alone it has invested £17 million updating over 100 restaurants. Many of these restaurants have recorded double digit sales increases since the redesign and a further £24 million will be invested on restaurant refurbishment and new store openings in 2009 and 2010. Pizza Hut CEO, Alasdair Murdoch, said: "We have made significant changes to the business over the past few years and we wanted to create a moment in time for people to sit back and take notice. With 120 refurbished stores, the introduction of a great new pasta range to the menu and big nutritional changes, I am confident that people will like what they see when they come into our restaurants." The company has also been focusing on its online business for the past 18 months: the online delivery service launched in March 2007 and had taken £1 million of orders by May 2007. In June 2008 it took its one millionth online order and with sales increasing at an average rate of 25% per month, Pizza Hut's online sales now contribute towards 18% of its entire delivery sales. As well as the introduction of the new pasta menu, Pizza Hut has made significant changes to the nutritional content of most of its menu items. The company launched a salt reduction programme in 2004, when salt levels in some products were reduced by as much as 30%. The children's menu has been revamped to include hidden vegetables and a complimentary side salad. All traces of hydrogenated vegetable oils have been removed from the menu, and there is also an ongoing saturated fat removal programme. Customers are welcome to offer their feedback on both the pastas and new 'Pasta Hut' name at Pizza Hut's new website, www.pastahut.co.uk New range of Tuscani pastas: • TRADITIONAL LASAGNE Our lasagne is made with rich, beef Bolognese, oven-baked between three layers of pasta, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and served with crusty garlic bread. • SPINACH & RICOTTA CANNELLONI Ricotta cheese and spinach oven-baked in three delicious pasta rolls, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce and served with crusty garlic bread. • SALMON PASTA BAKE Juicy salmon pieces, leaf spinach and penne pasta in a rich, creamy cheese sauce, topped with paprika crumb and oven-baked to perfection and served with crusty garlic bread. • TOMATO & MOZZARELLA MEZZALUNA Giant mozzarella and tomato parcels oven-baked in a rich tomato sauce finished with olive oil, basil and oregano and served with crusty garlic bread. • TAGLIATELLE ALLA CARBONARA Steaming-hot pasta ribbons and pieces of ham in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. • ITALIAN RECIPE MEATBALL TAGLIATELLE Steaming-hot pasta ribbons and Italian recipe meatballs with pork and beef in a deliciously chunky tomato and herb sauce. • ALFREDO Tortiglione pasta tubes in a rich, creamy white sauce with sun dried tomatoes, green pesto, red and green chillies and your choice of tender chicken or roasted vegetables. Add £1 for chicken or £2 for chicken and vegetables. • ARRABIATA Large pasta spirals in a deliciously spicy chilli, garlic and tomato sauce with your choice of tender chicken or prawns & crayfish. Add £1 for chicken or £2 for prawns & crayfish tails.