PIZZA HUT INTRODUCES HUTTY - YOUR SECOND-SCREEN BUDDY FOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL, BRINGING FANS TOGETHER WITH HOOPS INSIGHTS AND EXCLUSIVE REWARDS

Rhea-AI Summary

Pizza Hut has launched Hutty, a digital second-screen companion for the college basketball tournament, as part of its role as the Official and Only Pizza Sponsor. This innovative platform responds to the trend where 69% of TV viewers use mobile devices during games, and 64% of avid sports fans engage with social media during the tournament.

Hutty serves as a digital game-time companion that provides real-time reactions, insights, and exclusive Pizza Hut offers. The platform aims to transform solo viewing into an interactive, community-driven experience. Users can win various rewards including:

• Free pizza for a year
• Surprise pizza deals (discount codes, BOGO offers, free sides)
• -edition Pizza Hut merchandise

The promotion begins March 19, 2025, and fans can interact with Hutty through Pizza Hut's Instagram account or enter sweepstakes at PizzaHutsHuttySweeps.com through April 8, 2025.

Positive

• Launch of new digital engagement platform to drive customer interaction and brand loyalty
• Strategic timing with March Madness tournament as Official Pizza Sponsor
• Multiple revenue-driving promotional offers through sweepstakes and deals

Negative

• None.

Pizza Hut's Digital-Led Experience Enhances Game Time, Turning Solo Viewing into a Shared, Interactive Event

PLANO, Texas, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza Hut has always been a go-to for bringing people together over great food and good times. Now, as the Official and Only Pizza Sponsor of college basketball's biggest tournament, the brand is extending that role into the digital space with Hutty – a second-screen companion designed to enhance every game, keep fans connected, and serve up rewards all tournament long.

While fans are locked into the action, they're also scrolling. 69% of those watching games on TV also use their mobile devices simultaneously, and 64% of avid sports fans engage with social media during the tournament^*. That's where Hutty comes in – acting as your ultimate digital sidekick. Hutty brings real-time reactions, hot takes, and exclusive Pizza Hut offers straight to fans – turning solo second-screen moments into an interactive, community-driven experience.

So, who is Hutty?

• Your Digital Game-Time Companion – The way fans watch has changed – most are scrolling while watching. Hutty makes that experience better by reacting to buzzer-beaters, dropping fun insights, and keeping fans entertained from tip-off to the final whistle.
• The Ultimate College Basketball Fan – Hutty is passionate, fun, and all about the game. He lives for upsets, believes in game-day superstitions, and knows that pizza is the ultimate fuel for every matchup.
• Your Second-Screen Sidekick – Just like we fuel watch parties, Hutty is bringing people together digitally, making sure every game – whether watched alone or with friends – feels more connected and fun. Whether he's dishing out discount codes, dropping hot takes, or simply sharing in the highs and lows of the tournament, he's there to make every moment more interactive.
• The Gateway to Exclusive Rewards – Talking with Hutty isn't just fun – it might just pay off. Fans will have the chance to win:
  • Free Pizza for a Year – A few lucky fans will win free pizza for an entire year.
  • Surprise Pizza Deals – Discount codes, BOGO offers, and free sides.
  • Limited-Edition Pizza Hut Swag – Engage with Hutty for a chance to win.

"Basketball's biggest tournament is a time when fans are more engaged than ever, but many are watching alone," said Melissa Friebe, Chief Marketing Officer of Pizza Hut. "Pizza Hut has always been about bringing people together, and now, with Hutty, we're extending that experience into the digital space – turning every game into a shared moment, no matter where or how you're watching."

Kicking off at the start of the tournament, fans can chat with Hutty by going to @PizzaHut on Instagram and tapping on Hutty. Fans can enter the sweepstakes by signing up at PizzaHutsHuttySweeps.com, where they'll have the chance to win big^**.

For more information, visit PizzaHutsHuttySweeps.com or follow @PizzaHut on Instagram.

* Sources: MarketingDive.com, Statista March 2023 Survey

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 US and DC who are 18 years of age or older. The Pizza Hut March Madness 2025 Sweepstakes starts at 6:00 pm ET on 3/19/25 and ends at 11:30 pm ET on 4/8/25. Sponsored by Pizza Hut, LLC. For rules, visit PizzaHutsHuttySweeps.com

About Pizza Hut^®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas and since then has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in innovation with the creation of icons like Original^® Pan and Original^® Stuffed Crust pizzas. In 1994, Pizza Hut pizza was the very first online food order. Today, Pizza Hut continues leading the way in the digital and technology space with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and has Hut Rewards^®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you order. Hut Rewards is open to U.S. residents 18+. See applicable terms at https://hutrewards.pizzahut.com/terms/. A global leader in the pizza category, Pizza Hut operates more than 19,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Through its enormous presence, Pizza Hut works to unlock opportunity for its team members and communities around the world.

For more information, visit www.pizzahut.com. You can remain up to date on what's happening at Pizza Hut by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

Press Contact
ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS
pizza@abmc-us.com

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SOURCE Pizza Hut

FAQ

What rewards can fans win through Pizza Hut's Hutty promotion during March Madness 2025?

Fans can win free pizza for a year, surprise pizza deals including BOGO offers and free sides, and -edition Pizza Hut merchandise.

How long does Pizza Hut's Hutty March Madness 2025 sweepstakes run?

The sweepstakes runs from March 19, 2025, at 6:00 pm ET through April 8, 2025, at 11:30 pm ET.

How can fans interact with Pizza Hut's Hutty during the 2025 basketball tournament?

Fans can chat with Hutty by visiting @PizzaHut on Instagram and tapping on Hutty, or enter sweepstakes at PizzaHutsHuttySweeps.com.

What percentage of basketball tournament viewers use mobile devices while watching games?

69% of viewers use mobile devices while watching games, and 64% of avid sports fans engage with social media during the tournament.