Pizza Hut Is Launching Its First Vegan Stuffed Crust Pizza

(Updated February 25, 2020) | Pizza Hut UK is launching a vegan stuffed crust pizza. The restaurant chain will be the first in the UK to launch a vegan stuffed crust option.

According to a press release sent to LIVEKINDLY, customers can order any vegan pizza with a stuffed crust. Pizza Hut uses Violife cheese for all of its vegan options, and the stuffed crusts are made with the same.

“We’re always looking into new and exciting ways to develop our menu,” says Ciara Grace, Senior Menu Innovation Manager at Pizza Hut. “The Vegan Stuffed Crust was naturally the next step for us to grow our plant-based offering at Pizza Hut Restaurants. We’re really excited to launch the Vegan Stuffed Crust as we’re confident it’s going to be a hit.”

After a successful trial period, Pizza Hut UK is now also adding its vegan pepperoni pizza to the permanent menu. The pizza was initially launched as part of a limited-time offer for the chain’s January “Veganuary” campaign.

The new “Pepperphoni” slices use a pea protein base. The plant-based pepperoni pizza also comes topped with vegan cheese from Violife. This marks the seventh vegan pizza to join Pizza Hut UK’s dedicated menu.

According to the Foodservice Equipment Journal, the chain decided to make the option permanent after its vegan pizza sales doubled last month. A spokesperson said in a statement, “people are loving the taste [of the vegan pepperoni] and have said that they are as equally delicious as the original.”

They continued, “we’ve seen a phenomenal uplift in sales as a result. [We] hope our guests continue to enjoy our meatless options now Veganuary has finished.”

Vegan at Pizza Hut UK

Vegan cheese was first introduced to Pizza Hut UK locations in 2017. The chain now has an extensive vegan menu, responding to increased customer demand.

In February 2019, it introduced a three-course vegan menu featuring four new pizzas, appetizers, and desserts. Vegan. In October, the restaurant launched more options, including vegan chicken nuggets and biscuit and caramel cheesecake—plus, a mushroom-topped pizza.

The chain’s vegan options are a key part of its quest to become more sustainable. By 2030, it hopes to be a carbon-neutral business. The chain also has an ongoing commitment to reducing food waste.

Dairy is resource-intense and removing cheese from the menu could help Pizza Hut achieve its goal. But according to the chain, “We don’t envision taking dairy products off the menu in the near future, however we are really proud of our plant-based food offering and are always looking to innovate and test new products.”

UK Pizza Hut restaurants aren’t alone in serving up vegan food. Australian locations recently added vegan cheese, made by local brand Dairy Free Down Under, to all locations after an initial trial in May 2018.

“We believe everyone should be able to share good times and enjoy a mutual love for pizza,” Pizza Hut chief marketing officer Chet Patel said in a statement. “We’ve been doing it for almost 50 years. So instead of calling those who choose to be vegan out, we’re calling them in.”

According to Pizza Hut UK, the new vegan stuffed crust option is available from 26th February. It costs an additional £2.50 per pizza.