In a conversation with IANS, Pizza Hut India MD Merrill Pereyra said: "We see this robust growth continuing well into the next year, especially on our 'Contactless Delivery' channel.""Our delivery sales are already back to pre-Covid levels and takeaway is also close behind."According to Pereyra, the brand was better equiped and prepared to handle the onslaught of the second Covid-19 wave.Besides, the QSR major's increased focus on digital media and upgradation of digital assets ensured accessibility."Demand has definitely picked up. From an average daily sales perspective, Pizza Hut surpassed the pre-Covid average in July 2021 and our owned delivery platforms (mobile app, m-site, website) had outperformed food aggregators on big important days.""Also, our dine-in coupled with continued growth on delivery and takeaway channels saw Pizza Hut closing Q1 in 2021 with positive growth vs last year."Besides, he cited the commencement of a sustainable demand trend as more and more people get fully vaccinated."However, it all depends on the efficacy of vaccines as well as the threat of a potential third wave."Furthermore, the QSR major intends to focus on expanding its presence, especially in the Tier-II and III cities."We plan to enter several new cities, including tier II and tier III markets, whilst expansion into tier I cities will continue parallelly."Additionally, Pereyra said that brand will focus on opening assets in its 'Fast Casual Delco' format or FCD."FCDs are delivery first assets that also offer dine-in and takeaway services. We opened our first FCD in 2016, and today we have over 110 FCDs in India."The company, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. was founded in 1958.It entered India over two decades ago with a restaurant in Bengaluru.The QSR major operates more than 18,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries.In India, the company operates 500 outlets.(Rohit Vaid can be contacted at rohit.v@ians.in)
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