Pizza Hut: new franchise restaurant could open in Nagykanizsa in 2027

Pizza Hut plans to open its next Hungarian franchise restaurant in Nagykanizsa, with the opening scheduled for the end of the first quarter of 2027. Managed by AmRest, the Hungarian network currently has 29 restaurants and could also add a company-operated outlet in Budapest. Alongside the specific opening plan, the announcement provides prospective franchisees with details of entry requirements and other target cities.

Nagykanizsa could bring the number of franchise restaurants to eight

According to an announcement by AmRest Vendéglátó Kft. on 9 October, Hungary currently has 22 company-operated Pizza Hut restaurants and seven run by franchise partners. The Nagykanizsa opening would expand the franchise network, while the planned Budapest investment would increase the number of company-operated restaurants.

If both projects go ahead, the Hungarian network could reach 31 locations: 23 company-operated restaurants and eight franchised outlets. Expansion therefore continues to rely on both operating models, rather than solely on recruiting franchise partners.

The Nagykanizsa restaurant is expected to create ten jobs. The company statement reported by Trade magazine and Portfolio puts the planned opening at the end of the first quarter of 2027. This is a proposed opening, not a completed expansion: the current number of restaurants in Hungary remains 29.

Preparations are under way for a larger restaurant in Budapest, so a longer planning and construction process is anticipated for that investment. No final decision has yet been made on the capital’s location. The two projects are therefore at different stages: Nagykanizsa has a specific target opening period, while the exact Budapest site still needs to be selected.

An investment of at least HUF 100 million and a ten-year commitment

In response to an enquiry from Hungarian news agency MTI, AmRest said it expected an investment of at least HUF 100 million to open the Nagykanizsa restaurant. The company described this as the minimum investment generally required of franchise partners. The agreement runs for at least ten years and can be renewed.

Together, these two conditions indicate the scale of entry: a substantial investment requirement coupled with a long-term contractual commitment. The figure disclosed is a minimum investment, so it should not automatically be taken as the final total cost of a particular restaurant. Prospective partners can obtain detailed terms for their proposed venture at an in-person meeting.

Partner selection is not based solely on the capital available. According to Trade magazine, business acumen and long-term commitment are also considered. The company is seeking new franchise partners to support its expansion and intends to provide a fuller picture of the opportunity through face-to-face discussions with interested applicants.

The publicly available terms are therefore primarily a starting point for assessing the opportunity. The HUF 100 million minimum and the term of at least ten years indicate the likely scale of investment and length of commitment before prospective partners make contact.

Six other cities are also under consideration

The expansion strategy is nationwide: AmRest is assessing opportunities in every Hungarian town or city with a population of at least 50,000 when the surrounding urban area is included. The population threshold therefore applies not just to residents within municipal boundaries, but also to those in nearby communities.

The cities under consideration include Székesfehérvár, Veszprém, Érd, Szolnok, Tatabánya and Zalaegerszeg. According to Miklós Kozák, head of Pizza Hut Hungary, no particular region or city is being prioritised. In the cities listed, the company has already identified areas where its research suggests a restaurant would be most accessible.

These cities should not, however, be treated as confirmed opening locations. Business opportunities are still being assessed there, whereas Nagykanizsa already has a target opening period. This distinction matters when judging which projects are moving towards implementation and which remain at the exploratory stage.

The company is also open to proposals outside its identified areas. If a prospective franchise partner sees an opportunity elsewhere, AmRest is willing to assess it. The nationwide search can therefore draw on applicants’ suggested locations as well as the cities already being considered by the company.

Support offered to long-term franchise partners

Franchise partners receive operational know-how, training, marketing and business planning support, and ongoing professional assistance. The support outlined therefore covers both the knowledge needed to run a restaurant and preparation for managing the business.

The Nagykanizsa plan represents a further expansion of an established franchise network in Hungary. Alongside Pizza Hut, AmRest also operates KFC and Starbucks outlets in the country; however, the recruitment drive and opening plan announced here relate specifically to Pizza Hut’s growth in Hungary.

Practical takeaway: prospective franchisees should consider the minimum investment of HUF 100 million, the ten-year commitment and their proposed location together. The next step is an in-person discussion to clarify the terms for the specific restaurant.