‘No One OutPizzas the Hut’

A reader recently wrote in taking issue with Pizza Hut’s slogan, “No One OutPizzas the Hut,” which is plastered across the pizza chain’s marketing.

“Sales numbers don’t lie,” the reader said, referring to the fact that in 2021 Domino’s U.S. sales topped Pizza Hut’s by more than $3 billion.

Domino’s also has 1,000 more U.S. stores than Pizza Hut and offers eight more options for toppings than its closest pizza rival. So what does Pizza Hut mean by “No One OutPizzas the Hut”? Perhaps nothing at all.

For years marketers have invoked the puffery defense to avoid having to answer to claims of false advertising. The legal defense argues that a lie is not a lie if it is so obvious an exaggeration that consumers know not to take it seriously.

And it has been shown to work. Marketers have prevailed in several false advertising cases using the puffery defense, including Papa John’s whose slogan “Better ingredients. Better pizza” was challenged by none other than Pizza Hut.

Is “No One OutPizzas the Hut” an if-you-can’t-beat-them-join-them scenario?

TINA.org reached out to Pizza Hut for comment. Check back for updates.

Find more of our coverage on puffery here.