Pizza Hut markets itself as "The Hut," forgets to register domains

Though it is currently unclear what Pizza Hut’s future plans are, it has started using the name “The Hut” in its marketing. Some media reports indicate that the entire chain’s name will change, while other news sources are saying the new brand will be used on a limited basis. Either way, it turns out the company didn’t bother to buy the associated domains.

TheHut.com, the-hut.com, Hut.com, and TheHut.net are all owned by various individuals and companies. Now that everyone knows about the pizza chain’s new slogan, it will have trouble acquiring the domains at a fair price.

Perhaps Pizza Hut doesn’t want the domains? According to Brian Niccol, the food joint’s chief marketing officer, there will be no major name change:

We are proud of our name and heritage and will continue to be Pizza Hut. We do use ‘The Hut’ in some of our marketing efforts.

If Pizza Hut intends to change its name to “The Hut,” it better have the domains. To not own them would be marketing suicide. On the other hand, if it only uses the brand on a limited basis, spending tens of thousands on domains might not be in its best interest. No matter what the chain decides to do with “The Hut,” it will always make me think of Jabba the Hutt.

Photo | Flickr