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In the past, the popular pizza chain was the top choice for parents and children to feast on its eat-as-much-as-you-like offering, endless salad selection, and self-serve ice-cream.

Yet not as many patrons are frequenting the brand currently, and it is reducing 50% of its British outlets after being bought out of administration for the second time this year.

It was common to visit Pizza Hut when I was a child,” notes Prudence. “It was a tradition, you'd go on a Sunday – spend the whole day there.” However, at present, in her mid-twenties, she states “it's not a thing anymore.”

According to young customer Martina, the very elements Pizza Hut has been known and loved for since it started in the UK in the 1970s are now not-so-hot.

“The way they do their all-you-can-eat and their salad bar, it appears that they are cheapening on their quality and have lower standards... They offer so much food and you're like ‘How?’”

Since grocery costs have soared, Pizza Hut's all-you-can-eat model has become very expensive to run. The same goes for its restaurants, which are being reduced from a large number to 64.

The business, similar to other firms, has also experienced its operating costs rise. Earlier this year, labor expenses rose due to increases in the legal wage floor and an higher rate of employer taxes.

Chris, 36, and Joanne, 29 mention they would often visit at Pizza Hut for a date “from time to time”, but now they get delivery from Domino's and think Pizza Hut is “very overpriced”.

According to your choices, Pizza Hut and Domino's rates are close, explains an industry analyst.

Even though Pizza Hut does offer pickup and delivery through third-party apps, it is missing out to big rivals which specialize to off-premise dining.

“The rival chain has taken over the off-premise pizza industry thanks to strong promotions and ongoing discounts that make shoppers feel like they're saving money, when in reality the original prices are quite high,” explains the expert.

But for these customers it is acceptable to get their special meal delivered to their door.

“We predominantly have meals at home now rather than we eat out,” comments Joanne, echoing latest data that show a decline in people going to casual and fast-food restaurants.

In the warmer season, casual and fast-food restaurants saw a 6% drop in patrons compared to the previous year.

There is also another rival to pizza from eateries: the frozen or fresh pizza.

An industry leader, global lead for leisure at an advisory group, notes that not only have retailers been providing premium prepared pies for a long time – some are even offering home-pizza ovens.

“Evolving preferences are also having an impact in the performance of fast-food chains,” states the expert.

The increased interest of protein-rich eating plans has driven sales at grilled chicken brands, while hitting sales of dough-based meals, he continues.

Because people go out to eat less frequently, they may look for a more high-quality meal, and Pizza Hut's American-diner style with vinyl benches and traditional décor can feel more dated than luxurious.

The growth of premium pizza outlets” over the last 10 to 15 years, for example popular brands, has “completely altered the general opinion of what quality pizza is,” explains the industry commentator.

“A light, fresh, easy-to-digest product with a few choice toppings, not the massively greasy, heavy and overloaded pizzas of the past. This, in my view, is what's resulted in Pizza Hut's downfall,” she comments.

“What person would spend nearly eighteen pounds on a modest, low-quality, underwhelming pizza from a franchise when you can get a stunning, expertly crafted classic pizza for a lower price at one of the many authentic Italian pizzerias around the country?

“It's an easy choice.”

A mobile pizza vendor, who owns a small business based in a county in England says: “People haven’t lost interest in pizza – they just want improved value.”

Dan says his flexible operation can offer gourmet pizza at accessible prices, and that Pizza Hut faced challenges because it failed to adapt with new customer habits.

According to Pizzarova in a UK location, the founder says the industry is broadening but Pizza Hut has failed to offer anything fresh.

“Currently available are by-the-slice options, regional varieties, New Haven-style, sourdough, Neapolitan, rectangular – it's a delightful challenge for a pizza-loving consumer to discover.”

He says Pizza Hut “must rebrand” as younger people don't have any sense of nostalgia or attachment to the company.

Over time, Pizza Hut's share has been fragmented and allocated to its trendier, more nimble competitors. To maintain its costly operations, it would have to increase costs – which commentators say is difficult at a time when family finances are tightening.

The managing director of Pizza Hut's global operations said the acquisition aimed “to ensure our guest experience and save employment where possible”.

He said its key goal was to continue operating at the open outlets and off-premise points and to support colleagues through the change.

Yet with so much money going into maintaining its outlets, it likely can't afford to spend heavily in its off-premise division because the industry is “complicated and using existing external services comes at a price”, experts say.

However, it's noted, cutting its costs by exiting crowded locations could be a good way to evolve.