• by Teresa Buyikian , April 8, 2025

Pizza Hut may have a cheesy new pitchman, but he’s probably a familiar sight to anyone who ordered pizza delivery in the 1980s.

The brand’s latest TV effort, seen here, opens on a public basketball court mid-game. A voiceover says “It was a just another day on the court... until he showed up,” as the camera pans to a pair of 1980’s-esque red and white “Pizza Hut” high-tops worn by someone exiting a cherry red muscle car. Straight out of central casting, the “pizza delivery guy” emerges from the vehicle, with dark shades, shaggy long hair shoved underneath a backward baseball cap, and a retro red satin “Pizza Hut” delivery jacket.

As the VO notes that the guy not only  came with new Cheesy Bites Pizza, but he has also brought his “A-Game,” he rips off his jeans stripper-style to reveal classic jorts and jumps in the game. After some slick moves involving passing a pizza as well as the ball, the players ask his name. “Peter Zahut. But you can call me Pete,” he replies getting back into his car as the players sound out “Pete Zahut... Pizza Hut.”

"This campaign is about more than just shining a spotlight on our great pizza; it's about spotlighting the good times and big and small moments of joy that come with adding pizza to any occasion," said Melissa Friebe, CMO at Pizza Hut in the announcement.

The ads coincide with the return of the chain’s Cheesy Bites Pizza, which has 28 cheese-filled “bites” in place of a traditional crust, and the launch of Ranch Lover’s Flight. The Flight comes with a large pizza alongside a trio of ranch-based sauces: Chipotle Ranch, Ultimate Ranch and Pepperoni Ranch.

The campaign, created by Deutsch, broke on national network, cable and streaming TV during March Madness. Its  “grand debut” came during the NCAA Sweet 16 on March 27, which was viewed by over 1.7 million viewers this year, per ESPN.