Pizza Hut is gradually returning to Pakistan, with Maaks International (Pvt.) Ltd., announcing that 13 officially authorized outlets are now operational and another 74 branches will be reopened across the country. While the reopening marks a significant step in reviving one of Pakistan’s best-known restaurant chains, it also unfolds against an unresolved legal dispute over who holds the legitimate rights to operate the Pizza Hut brand in Pakistan.
Maaks International (Pvt.) Ltd. and Rustom Foods Pvt. Ltd. are the two disputes centres companies and these both claim to be Pizza Hut’s authorized franchise operator.
Maaks International says it acquired Pizza Hut Pakistan’s master franchise rights from MCR (Pvt.) Ltd. in August 2022 with the approval of Pizza Hut MENAPAK LLC (UAE), before formally assuming operations in September 2022. The company states that it currently licenses 77 Pizza Hut outlets through 10 sub-franchisees. It also acquired the Pizza Hut and Burger King businesses from MCR in December 2022 in a transaction reportedly valued between $10 million and $15 million.
However, Rustom Foods announced in October 2024 that it had become Pizza Hut’s official and sole authorised franchise partner in Pakistan, a position publicly endorsed by Scott Hudson, General Manager of Pizza Hut Middle East and Africa. Unlike Maaks’ sub-franchise model, Rustam Foods operates company-owned restaurants and has already opened 14 outlets in Lahore and two in Islamabad, with plans to expand into Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Multan during 2026.
The closure of Pizza Hut was not because the brand exited Pakistan. Instead, it resulted from financial challenges faced by former operator MCR (Pvt.) Ltd., combined with the uncertainty created by the franchise dispute.
By late 2022, MCR was reportedly dealing with heavy debt, cash-flow shortages, rising operating costs, mounting store-level losses and difficulties paying landlords and suppliers. At the same time, Pakistan’s economic crisis including historic inflation, depreciation of the Pakistani rupee, rising import costs, higher electricity and utility bills, increased fuel prices, rising staff wages and weaker consumer spending, placed additional pressure on international restaurant chains dependent on imported ingredients.
The franchise dispute further complicated lease agreements, supplier contracts, territorial authority, outstanding payments and contractual obligations. As uncertainty grew, many Pizza Hut outlets across Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and other cities shut their doors, while deliveries gradually disappeared from online platforms.
Maaks says its phased reopening strategy is designed to restore customer confidence by renovating restaurants, improving food quality, upgrading ordering systems, strengthening delivery services and ensuring consistent operational standards. According to the company, reopening each outlet requires staff recruitment and training, equipment inspections, refurbishment, new supply contracts, food safety compliance and technology upgrades, which is why only 13 branches have reopened so far.
The company has also reaffirmed that it remains Pizza Hut Pakistan’s lawful master franchisee, claiming that certain Pizza Hut outlets operating in Lahore under other parties are unauthorised. It has advised customers to visit only branches operated by Maaks and warned vendors, landlords and investors against entering agreements with other operators while the matter remains before the courts. Maaks further alleges that its official Facebook and Instagram accounts were hacked to spread misinformation and says it has approached the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), while pursuing criminal proceedings against individuals allegedly involved.
Rustam Foods continues to reject those claims and maintains that it is the officially recognised Pizza Hut franchise partner in Pakistan, continuing to expand its company-owned network.
Furthermore, no publicly reported court ruling has conclusively determined which company holds the exclusive rights to operate Pizza Hut in Pakistan. Until that decision is made, the reopening of outlets represents both the return of a familiar restaurant brand and the continuation of a closely watched legal battle over its future in Pakistan.
