In what city was Pizza Hut founded in 1958?

Pizza Hut was founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1958.

Brothers Dan and Frank Carney opened the first Pizza Hut in a small building near Wichita State University. Their mother loaned them $600 to help start the business, and the building’s limited space influenced the short name: the sign could fit only eight letters, so “Pizza Hut” was chosen.

The restaurant began as a local pizzeria before becoming an international chain. Its early growth came through franchising, and Pizza Hut later became especially associated with dine-in restaurants, red roof buildings, pan pizza, and delivery.

Wichita is sometimes confused with nearby Kansas cities because the Carney brothers attended Wichita State and the company expanded rapidly beyond its hometown. The first restaurant’s original building has been preserved and moved to the Wichita State campus, where it is used as a historic landmark.