Pizza Hut: Difference between revisions

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Add the October 2026 store list and the photograph of the Northport Drive store
Add the October 2026 store list and the photograph of the Northport Drive store
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==Locations==
==Locations==
[[File:Pizza-Hut-Northport.jpeg|thumb|The Northport Drive store, a drive-thru across from Warner Park, in October 2026]]
[[File:Pizza-Hut-Northport.jpeg|thumb|The Northport Drive store, a drive-thru across from Warner Park, in October 2026]]
* 1438 Northport Dr., drive-thru (2026)<ref name="pizzahut-com-2026-10-24-madison-stores" /><ref name="photo-2026-10-pizza-hut-1438-northport">Pohl, A. (2026, October). Pizza Hut storefront, 1438 Northport Dr., October 2026. ''Madison Pizza Wiki contributor photographs''.</ref>. It answers the same 244-9099 number as the 1995 drive-thru listed at 1426 Northport Dr.<ref name="yp-1995-p638" />
* 1438 Northport Dr., drive-thru (2026)<ref name="pizzahut-com-2026-10-24-madison-stores" /><ref name="photo-2026-10-pizza-hut-1438-northport">Pohl, A. (2026, October). Pizza Hut storefront, 1438 Northport Dr., October 2026. ''Madison Pizza Wiki contributor photographs''.</ref>. It answers the same 244-9099 number as the 1995 drive-thru listed at 1426 Northport Dr., which was probably a free-standing Pizza Hut building about half a block away; the present building, judging by its drive-thru window, was built as a pharmacy or bank<ref name="yp-1995-p638" /><ref name="recollection-andy-pohl">Pohl, A. (2026, September 28). Recollections of Andy Pohl. ''unpublished recollections''.</ref>.
* 520 S. Park St. (2019–2026)<ref name="wsj-2019-01-30-pA4" /><ref name="pizzahut-com-2026-10-24-madison-stores" />
* 520 S. Park St. (2019–2026)<ref name="wsj-2019-01-30-pA4" /><ref name="pizzahut-com-2026-10-24-madison-stores" />
* 4762 Cottage Grove Rd., drive-thru (1995–2026)<ref name="yp-1995-p638" /><ref name="pizzahut-com-2026-10-24-madison-stores" />
* 4762 Cottage Grove Rd., drive-thru (1995–2026)<ref name="yp-1995-p638" /><ref name="pizzahut-com-2026-10-24-madison-stores" />
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* 4000 University Ave., at Midvale Boulevard (hiring as "University and Midvale" in August 1991<ref name="wsj-1991-08-11-p85" />; a dine-in restaurant in the 1995 Yellow Pages<ref name="yp-1995-p638" />).
* 4000 University Ave., at Midvale Boulevard (hiring as "University and Midvale" in August 1991<ref name="wsj-1991-08-11-p85" />; a dine-in restaurant in the 1995 Yellow Pages<ref name="yp-1995-p638" />).
* 6771 University Ave., Middleton, drive-thru (1995)<ref name="yp-1995-p638" />.
* 6771 University Ave., Middleton, drive-thru (1995)<ref name="yp-1995-p638" />.
* 1426 Northport Dr., drive-thru (1995)<ref name="yp-1995-p638" />; by 2026 the Northport store is at 1438 Northport Dr., with the same phone number<ref name="pizzahut-com-2026-10-24-madison-stores" />.
* 1426 Northport Dr., drive-thru (1995)<ref name="yp-1995-p638" />; by 2026 the Northport store is at 1438 Northport Dr., apparently a different building half a block away, with the same phone number<ref name="pizzahut-com-2026-10-24-madison-stores" /><ref name="recollection-andy-pohl" />.
* 662 State St. (1985<ref name="wsj-1985-10-06-p138" />; licensed 2000 to 2004<ref name="ct-2000-05-25-p12" /><ref name="ct-2004-05-25-p4" />)
* 662 State St. (1985<ref name="wsj-1985-10-06-p138" />; licensed 2000 to 2004<ref name="ct-2000-05-25-p12" /><ref name="ct-2004-05-25-p4" />)
* 3059 E. Washington Ave. (1985–1996)<ref name="wsj-1985-05-08-p31" /><ref name="ct-1996-05-27-p5" />
* 3059 E. Washington Ave. (1985–1996)<ref name="wsj-1985-05-08-p31" /><ref name="ct-1996-05-27-p5" />

Revision as of 04:20, 24 October 2026

Pizza Hut is a national pizza chain, established in Wichita, Kansas. Its first Madison restaurant opened in January 1968. Unlike Domino's and Little Caesar's, it has never left Madison, although its dine-in restaurants have thinned out since the 1990s.

History

  • January 1968: the first Madison restaurant opens at 2405 S. Park St., then in the Town of Madison[1]. It is hiring on January 11[2].
  • May 1975: Pizza Hut of Madison Inc. is on the Town of Madison license list for 2405 S. Park St.[3]
  • May 1985: three franchise corporations apply for city licenses: Pizza Hut of East Madison Inc. at 3059 E. Washington Ave., Pizza Hut of West Madison Inc. at 4709 Verona Rd., and Pizza Hut of West Towne Inc. at 7440 Mineral Point Rd.[4] Richard Divelbiss, who had started the Madison franchise in 1967, is the agent for the first two.
  • October 1985: a dining guide lists Pizza Hut at 2405 S. Park St. and 662 State St.[5]
  • May 1991: the same five restaurants are renewed[6]. That August the "locally owned and operated franchise" was hiring at 3059 E. Washington Ave., 4709 Verona Rd., 7440 Mineral Point Rd., 2549 E. Springs Dr. and a restaurant "at University and Midvale"[7].
  • May 1990: five restaurants are on the city liquor license list, each under its own corporation — 3059 E. Washington Ave. (Pizza Hut of East Madison), 2649 East Springs Dr. (Pizza Hut of East Towne), 4709 Verona Rd. (Pizza Hut of West Madison), 7440 Mineral Point Rd. (Pizza Hut of West Towne) and 662 State St. (State Street Pizza Hut)[8].
  • 1995: the Yellow Pages ad announces "NOW! One number delivery service! 828-2828" — callers punch in their phone number and are routed to the nearest of ten delivery areas — and calls Pizza Hut "Madison's #1 Pizza" on the strength of a Madison Magazine reader survey. It lists seven dine-in restaurants (2649 E. Springs Dr., 4000 University Ave., 2405 S. Park St., 662 State St., 4709 Verona Rd., 3059 E. Washington Ave. and 7440 Mineral Point Rd.), a carryout at 811 S. Gammon Rd. and drive-thrus at 4762 Cottage Grove Rd., 6771 University Ave. in Middleton and 1426 Northport Dr., plus a Waunakee store at 204 S. Century Ave.[9][10]
  • May 1995: four restaurants are on the city license list: 3059 E. Washington Ave., 2649 East Springs Dr. (Pizza Hut of East Towne), 4709 Verona Rd. and 7440 Mineral Point Rd.[11]
  • May 1996: the same four restaurants are all licensed to Pizza Hut of Madison Inc., with Bill P. Gill, Terry D. Turner and James Williams as agents, in place of the four separate corporations of 1995[12]. That May the East Washington Avenue restaurant took part in Foodshare Day[13].
  • April 25, 1999: two men hold up the restaurant at 811 S. Gammon Rd.[14]
  • May 1999: three restaurants are on the city license list — 2649 East Springs Dr. and 7440 Mineral Point Rd. under Pizza Hut of Madison Inc. and 662 State St. under State Street Pizza Hut Inc.[15] Pizza Huts of Southern Wisconsin advertised delivery that autumn at 1-800-828-2828[16].
  • 1999: Pizza Hut is the top seller of pizza in Madison[17].
  • May 2000: three restaurants are on the city license list — 2649 East Springs Dr. and 7440 Mineral Point Rd. under Pizza Hut of Madison Inc., and 662 State St. under State Street Pizza Hut Inc.[18] The same three are listed every year to 2004[19][20][21][22].
  • July 3, 2000: an employee of the 7440 Mineral Point Rd. restaurant is punched and robbed of a bank deposit behind the building[23].
  • April 2002: the State Street buffet drops its $3.99 coupons in The Onion; ComedySportz rehearses in the back TV room, a student columnist complains[24].
  • October 2003: the State Street store considers moving to a building its landlord plans at 632 University Ave.[25]
  • May 2005: only 2649 East Springs Dr. and 7440 Mineral Point Rd. are on the license list, both under Pizza Hut of Madison Inc.[26]
  • January 14, 2006: a West Side Pizza Hut at 811 S. Gammon Rd. is robbed at gunpoint, and an employee locked in the cooler[27].
  • May 2007: 2649 East Springs Dr. and 7440 Mineral Point Rd. are still the only two on the license list[28].
  • December 11, 2007: the 7440 Mineral Point Rd. restaurant is robbed at gunpoint[29].
  • January 2019: the Pizza Hut at 520 S. Park St. is robbed[30].
  • November 2019: the local operator calls itself Pizza Hut of Southern Wisconsin[31].
  • October 2026: the chain's store locator lists seven stores with Madison addresses, all delivery and carryout: 520 S. Park St., 4762 Cottage Grove Rd., 3150 Maple Valley Dr., 2935 S. Fish Hatchery Rd., 1438 Northport Dr., 5251 High Crossing Blvd. and 7468 Mineral Point Rd.[32] Three of them still answer numbers printed in the 1995 Yellow Pages: Northport Drive's 244-9099, High Crossing's 246-0100 (then the East Towne delivery number) and Mineral Point Road's 828-2828, the old "one number delivery service" line[9].

Trivia

  • In April 1967 Richard Divelbiss, "doing business as the Pizza Hut of West Madison, Inc.", applied for a beer license for a proposed Pizza Hut at 5439 University Ave.[33] The application was withdrawn[34].
  • Pizza Hut of Madison, Inc., of which Divelbiss was president, expected to open "its first restaurant" at 2405 S. Park St. about January 15, 1968. It was to be the 255th restaurant in the chain. The building cost an estimated $75,000 and had 75 seats and parking for 40 cars[1].
  • An unrelated shop in Monona used the name "The Pizza Hut" from March 1964 until September 1966, when it became The Pizza Oven[35].
  • In 1999 Pizza Hut was the top seller of pizza in Madison. "This is one of their top markets in the whole country", said Roger Brown of Rocky Rococo[17].
  • In 1997 a Papa John's franchisee summed up the competition: Pizza Hut was known for variety, Domino's for delivery and Little Caesar's for being cheap[36].
  • Pizza Hut has included a pan style pizza among its core offerings since at least the 1980s.

Locations

The Northport Drive store, a drive-thru across from Warner Park, in October 2026
  • 1438 Northport Dr., drive-thru (2026)[32][37]. It answers the same 244-9099 number as the 1995 drive-thru listed at 1426 Northport Dr., which was probably a free-standing Pizza Hut building about half a block away; the present building, judging by its drive-thru window, was built as a pharmacy or bank[9][38].
  • 520 S. Park St. (2019–2026)[30][32]
  • 4762 Cottage Grove Rd., drive-thru (1995–2026)[9][32]
  • 3150 Maple Valley Dr. (2026)[32]
  • 2935 S. Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg (2026)[32]
  • 5251 High Crossing Blvd. (2026)[32]
  • 7468 Mineral Point Rd. (2026)[32]

Former Locations

  • 2405 S. Park St. (January 1968[1]; still listed in 1985[5] and 1995[9]).
  • 4000 University Ave., at Midvale Boulevard (hiring as "University and Midvale" in August 1991[7]; a dine-in restaurant in the 1995 Yellow Pages[9]).
  • 6771 University Ave., Middleton, drive-thru (1995)[9].
  • 1426 Northport Dr., drive-thru (1995)[9]; by 2026 the Northport store is at 1438 Northport Dr., apparently a different building half a block away, with the same phone number[32][38].
  • 662 State St. (1985[5]; licensed 2000 to 2004[18][22])
  • 3059 E. Washington Ave. (1985–1996)[4][12]
  • 4709 Verona Rd. (1985–1996)[4][12]
  • 7440 Mineral Point Rd. (1985 to at least December 2007)[4][28][29]
  • 2649 East Springs Dr. (1995 to at least May 2007)[11][28]
  • 811 S. Gammon Rd. (carryout in 1995[9]; robbed in April 1999[14]; 2006[27])

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 (1967, December 31). "Pizza Hut to Open Here About Jan. 15." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 22. Newspapers.com image 404707683.
  2. ↑ (1968, January 11). Help-wanted advertisement, Pizza Hut, 2405 S. Park St. The Capital Times. p. 39. Newspapers.com image 518729575.
  3. ↑ (1975, May 13). Town of Madison license list: Pizza Hut of Madison Inc., 2405 S. Park St. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 2. Newspapers.com image 405909900.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 (1985, May 8). City of Madison license applications: Pizza Hut of East Madison, West Madison and West Towne. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 31. Newspapers.com image 401494124.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 (1985, October 6). Dining guide listing Pizza Oven and Pizza Pit. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 138. Newspapers.com image 401397486.
  6. ↑ (1991, May 20). City of Madison 1991–92 Class B liquor license renewals (reprinted May 21 p7 and May 22 p27): Pizza Hut at 3059 E. Washington Ave., 2649 East Springs Dr., 4709 Verona Rd., 7440 Mineral Point Rd. and 662 State St.; Pizzeria …. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 6. Newspapers.com images 404281521, 404281684, 404282071.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 (1991, August 11). Pizza Extreme help-wanted advertisement (earliest found). Wisconsin State Journal. p. 85. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.
  8. ↑ (1990, May 15). City of Madison 1990–91 Class B liquor license renewals (reprinted May 18 p24 and May 19 p6): Pizza Pit, 78 East Towne Mall (Kerry P. Cook, agent Terry K. Voice); Edwardo's Natural Pizza Restaurant 333 N. Bassett St. (Erl …. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 22. Newspapers.com images 405195087, 405339396, 405340124.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.8 (1995). Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 638: Pizza Hut full-page ad (© 1995 Pizza Hut, Inc.) — 'At Your Place Or Ours! NOW! One number delivery service! 828-2828 — just call thi…. Madison telephone directory. p. 638.
  10. ↑ (1995). Ameritech PagesPlus Yellow Pages, Madison, 1995 edition, 'Pizza' classification, p. 636: alphabetical listings Alley Oops (13 Atlas Ct.), Angelo's Pizzaria (5801 Monona Dr.), Buck's Pizza ('Pizza Is Our Only Product Since…. Madison telephone directory. p. 636.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 (1995, May 25). City of Madison license list, May 1995. The Capital Times. p. 20. Newspapers.com image 521522538. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 (1996, May 27). City of Madison license list, May 1996. The Capital Times. p. 5. Newspapers.com image 522631770. Seen in search results only; the page has not been read.
  13. ↑ (1996, May 6). "Foodshare Day, May 7, 1996." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 2. Newspapers.com image 398389152.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 (1999, April 26). "Pizzeria holdup." The Capital Times. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 521948093.
  15. ↑ (1999, May 26). City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N…. The Capital Times. p. 7. Newspapers.com images 522006391, 522007482.
  16. ↑ (1999, October 28). "Rhythm Restaurant Guide 1999–2000: Pizzerias (2)." The Capital Times. p. 114. Newspapers.com image 522190918.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Newman, J. (1999, August 6). "Pizza Pit files for Chapter 11 but will keep on rolling." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Newspapers.com image 404009652.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 (2000, May 25). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2000–01 (pages 12–13). The Capital Times. p. 12. Newspapers.com images 522191464, 522191464, 522191472.
  19. ↑ (2001, May 25). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2001–02 (pages 6–7). The Capital Times. p. 6. Newspapers.com images 522638205, 522638205, 522638207.
  20. ↑ (2002, May 21). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2002–03 (pages 4–5). The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com images 526007657, 526007657, 526007659.
  21. ↑ (2003, June 10). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2003–04 (pages 4–5). The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com images 526281260, 526281260, 526281267.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 (2004, May 25). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2004–05 (pages 4–5). The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com images 526011606, 526011606, 526011457.
  23. ↑ (2000, July 6). "Pizza Hut employee assaulted, robbed." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 3. Newspapers.com image 407369224.
  24. ↑ Damm, J. (2002, April 25). "Bidding farewell to Pizza Hut." The Daily Cardinal.
  25. ↑ Wachowski, E. (2003, October 15). "Possible tenants eye old Burger King lot." The Daily Cardinal.
  26. ↑ (2005, May 23). City of Madison license list: Pizza Hut of Madison Inc., 2649 East Springs Dr. and 7440 Mineral Point Rd. The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com image 525987724.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 (2006, January 16). "Gunman robs a Pizza Hut." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 11. Newspapers.com image 407493706.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 (2007, May 28). City of Madison license renewal list, May 2007: Rocky Rococo (8 stores), Cafe Porta Alba, Casa Bianca, Pizza Pit, Urban Pizza Cafe, Pizza Di Roma, Pizza Hut, Unos, Roman Candle. The Capital Times. p. 4. Newspapers.com image 529156052.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 (2007, December 12). "Men rob Pizza Hut at gunpoint." madison.com.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 (2019, January 30). Robbery at the Pizza Hut, 520 S. Park St. Wisconsin State Journal. p. A4. Newspapers.com image 527780242.
  31. ↑ (2019, November 9). Business Achievements: Pizza Hut of Southern Wisconsin names a director of operations. Wisconsin State Journal. p. A4. Newspapers.com image 613577794. Sponsored content.
  32. ↑ 32.0 32.1 32.2 32.3 32.4 32.5 32.6 32.7 32.8 "Pizza Delivery & Carryout in Madison, WI." pizzahut.com. Retrieved October 24, 2026.
  33. ↑ (1967, April 20). Liquor and beer license applications filed with the city clerk. Wisconsin State Journal. p. 37. Newspapers.com image 401928285.
  34. ↑ Brautigam, R. (1967, June 7). Council committee acts on tavern and liquor licenses. The Capital Times. p. 20. Newspapers.com image 518673689.
  35. ↑ (1966, September 29). "Our new name "Pizza-Oven", formerly Pizza Hut." The Capital Times. p. 40. Newspapers.com images 519582920, 401993375.
  36. ↑ Kalk, S. (1997, February 8). "Papa John's finds niche." The Capital Times. p. 40. Newspapers.com image 519930305.
  37. ↑ Pohl, A. (2026, October). Pizza Hut storefront, 1438 Northport Dr., October 2026. Madison Pizza Wiki contributor photographs.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Pohl, A. (2026, September 28). Recollections of Andy Pohl. unpublished recollections.
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