Andy Montoya
Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. and has nearly 18,000 restaurants in over 100 countries. It offers a variety of pizzas, including the Original Stuffed Crust Pizza, which has warm and melty cheese stuffed into the crust. This unique offering was introduced in 1995 and has since become a popular choice for customers. The cheese-filled crust is made from 100% whole milk mozzarella and can be ordered with various toppings. While Pizza Hut faced a lawsuit over the patent for its stuffed crust, the court ultimately ruled in their favour, and the company continues to offer this distinctive pizza option to its customers worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese-filled crust availability | Pizza Hut offers cheese-filled crust on its pizzas. |
| Debut | Pizza Hut debuted the cheese-filled crust pizza style in 1995. |
| Crust size | Cheese-filled crust is typically offered only on large pizzas due to logistical challenges and dough preparation constraints. |
| Crust preparation | The crust is prepared by placing a ring of cheese sticks around the edge and folding the dough over it. |
| Toppings | The cheese-filled crust pizza typically includes classic marinara sauce and whole milk mozzarella cheese as toppings. |
| Price | The price of a large cheese-filled crust pizza with up to three toppings is $11.99, although prices may vary by location. |
| Availability | Cheese-filled crust pizzas are available at traditional Pizza Hut locations, but product availability may vary. |
| Additional charges | Additional charges may apply for extra cheese, stuffed crust, or extra toppings. |
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What You'll Learn
- Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza was launched in 1995
- The cheese-filled crust is only available on large pizzas
- Staff can make smaller stuffed crust pizzas for themselves
- Pizza Hut was sued for $1 billion over claims of patent infringement
- Pizza Hut introduced hot dog stuffed crust pizza in several countries in 2012
Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza was launched in 1995
The idea behind the stuffed crust pizza is simple yet brilliant: enhance the crust by stuffing it with cheese. This not only makes the crust more delicious but also creates a unique textural experience, combining the crispy exterior with a soft and cheesy interior. The specific type of cheese used in Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza is whole milk mozzarella, known for its creamy texture and mild flavour.
While Pizza Hut popularized the concept of stuffed crust pizza, there has been some debate about who first invented it. In 1999, a court case was brought against Pizza Hut by Angelo Mongiello's Children LLC, claiming patent violation. However, the court ruled in favour of Pizza Hut, and the exact origins of the idea remain a subject of discussion.
Over the years, Pizza Hut has continued to innovate with their stuffed crust offerings. In 2012, they introduced a hot dog stuffed crust pizza in several Asian and Western countries, showcasing their willingness to experiment with different flavours. More recently, they celebrated the 25th anniversary of their Original Stuffed Crust Pizza in 2020, offering a special deal on the iconic pizza and even introducing a limited-time promotion called "Nothing But Stuffed Crust" in select locations, allowing customers to indulge solely in the cheesy, golden-brown crust.
Today, Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza remains a beloved menu item, with many customers considering it a favourite. The combination of stretchy, melted cheese baked into the crust and the ability to customize toppings make it a popular choice for pizza lovers worldwide.
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The cheese-filled crust is only available on large pizzas
Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza, featuring warm and melty cheese stuffed into the crust, was launched in 1995. Since then, it has become a popular offering at Pizza Hut locations worldwide. However, one common query among customers is the availability of the cheese-filled crust option for pizza sizes other than large.
While Pizza Hut's cheese-filled crust is predominantly associated with large pizzas, there may be some variations across different locations and countries. According to several sources, including Pizza Hut employees, the cheese-filled crust option is typically offered only for large pizzas. This consistency in size simplifies the dough preparation process, as the dough for the stuffed crust arrives at the stores as large frozen pucks, leaving little room for customization.
Preparing dough for stuffed crust pizzas is more time-consuming than preparing regular dough. Having multiple dough types and sizes would complicate the forecasting and preparation process for staff, especially during busy shifts. Therefore, offering only one size for stuffed crust pizzas streamlines their operations and ensures efficiency.
However, it is worth noting that some Pizza Hut employees have mentioned making stuffed crust pizzas in smaller sizes for staff consumption. While not available on the menu, these smaller stuffed crust pizzas were created using classic crust dough. Additionally, Pizza Hut has occasionally offered promotions or deals that include stuffed crust options in sizes other than large, such as the "Nothing But Stuffed Crust" promotion in select Los Angeles and Dallas locations.
In summary, while the cheese-filled crust option is primarily available for large pizzas at Pizza Hut, there may be exceptions or promotions offered at specific locations or during limited-time deals. Customers curious about the availability of cheese-filled crusts at their local Pizza Hut can contact their nearest store for up-to-date information.
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Staff can make smaller stuffed crust pizzas for themselves
Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza, launched in 1995, is a large pizza with warm, melty cheese baked into the crust. It is topped with marinara sauce and 100% real cheese made from whole milk mozzarella, along with your choice of toppings. While the large stuffed crust pizza is the standard option offered to customers, Pizza Hut staff have revealed that it is possible to make smaller stuffed crust pizzas.
The reason that smaller sizes are not offered to customers is mainly logistical. Having different sizes for each dough type would make forecasting and dough preparation more challenging for staff. Most Pizza Hut locations use frozen dough, which comes in large frozen pucks, so it is not possible to change the size. However, staff members have confirmed that they can make their own medium or small stuffed crust pizzas using the classic crust dough.
One former employee shared that they used to make stuffed personal pans for themselves all the time. The process is quite simple, as all it requires is a box of string cheese sticks placed in a ring around the edge of the dough, which is then folded over. While it is easy to make any pizza into a stuffed crust pizza, offering this as an option to customers would create additional challenges in terms of preparation time and waste management.
Another employee explained that the large stuffed crust pizzas are made with pan dough, which tends to puff out more than other types of dough. As a result, the actual size of the pizza ends up being closer to a medium, even though it is sold as a large. This may be why some customers feel that a medium-sized pizza with a regular crust would still have enough room for cheese in the crust.
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Pizza Hut was sued for $1 billion over claims of patent infringement
Pizza Hut, the popular pizza restaurant chain, was sued for $1 billion by the family of Anthony Mongiello over claims of patent infringement. The lawsuit, filed in 1995, alleged that Pizza Hut's iconic Stuffed Crust Pizza infringed upon a patent held by the Mongiello family for a method of making stuffed pizza shells.
The Mongiello family claimed that Pizza Hut's process for creating multiple, individually sealed pockets of cheese within the crust of their pizzas violated their patented method. The patent, issued to Anthony Mongiello and his brother Lawrence in 1987, outlined a technique for forming dough pockets filled with cheese or other ingredients and enclosed within the outer rim of a pizza crust.
Pizza Hut, however, denied any infringement and argued that their method for making Stuffed Crust Pizza differed from the Mongiellos' patent. They asserted that their process did not meet all the required elements of the claimed invention. In their defence, Pizza Hut claimed that the pockets in their crusts were not consistently present and that the dough walls dividing the cheese were randomly occurring.
The lawsuit created a legal battle that played out over several years. Despite the Mongiello family's efforts, which were documented in a feature film titled "Stolen Dough," the court ultimately ruled in favour of Pizza Hut in 1999. The ruling stated that the Mongiellos' patent was a method patent and was not infringed upon simply because some examples of the defendant's product resembled the plaintiff's.
The impact of the lawsuit extended beyond the legal realm, as Pizza Hut's Stuffed Crust Pizza had become a beloved menu item for many customers since its debut in 1995. The concept of a cheese-filled crust revolutionized the pizza landscape, with Pizza Hut leading the way. Over the years, Pizza Hut has continued to innovate, introducing various stuffed crust variations, such as the Nothing But Stuffed Crust option and international offerings like shrimp and cheese-stuffed crust in Japan.
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Pizza Hut introduced hot dog stuffed crust pizza in several countries in 2012
Pizza Hut is known for its innovative and indulgent stuffed crust pizzas, with the original stuffed crust pizza being launched in 1995. This iconic pizza features warm and melty cheese stuffed into the traditional pizza dough crust, topped with marinara sauce and 100% real cheese made from whole milk mozzarella. Over the years, Pizza Hut has continued to experiment with different variations of stuffed crust pizzas, including the introduction of the hot dog stuffed crust pizza in several countries.
In 2012, Pizza Hut decided to take its stuffed crust offerings to the next level by introducing the Hot Dog Bites Pizza. This unique pizza made its debut in Asia, specifically in Japan, China, and South Korea, where stuffed crusts were already a popular trend. The pizza consisted of a large 14-inch base with a giant hot dog folded into the crust, often accompanied by a mustard drizzle. The concept quickly gained traction, and Pizza Hut expanded its offering to other countries.
The same year, Pizza Hut U.K. launched the hot dog stuffed crust pizza, creating a buzz among customers looking for indulgent and unconventional pizza options. The U.K. version maintained the large size and included a giant hot dog folded into the crust, providing a caloric feast for those with adventurous taste buds. While the hot dog stuffed crust pizza was not initially available in the U.S., it eventually made its way across the Atlantic a few years later.
Following the successful launch in Asia and the U.K., Pizza Hut brought the Hot Dog Bites Pizza to Canada, satisfying the cravings of customers who had been eagerly awaiting its arrival. The U.S. market, however, had to wait a little longer, with the hot dog stuffed crust pizza finally being introduced in 2015 to commemorate the anniversary of Pizza Hut's original Stuffed Crust Pizza. When it arrived, the U.S. version offered a unique twist, including a side of mustard and the option of a pretzel crust.
Pizza Hut's introduction of the hot dog stuffed crust pizza in various countries showcased the company's willingness to experiment and cater to diverse tastes. The combination of a giant hot dog folded into the crust of a large pizza created a distinctive and indulgent dining experience, solidifying Pizza Hut's reputation for pushing the boundaries of pizza toppings and crust variations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Pizza Hut offers cheese-filled crust on its Original Stuffed Crust Pizza.
Pizza Hut uses 100% real cheese made from whole milk mozzarella in its cheese-filled crust.
Pizza Hut's cheese-filled crust pizza is available at traditional Pizza Hut locations nationwide for contactless delivery, carryout, and curbside pickup.
Unfortunately, Pizza Hut's cheese-filled crust is only offered on large pizzas. This is due to logistical reasons, as the dough for the crust comes frozen in large pucks, making it difficult to change the size.
