A Pizza Hut spokesperson tells News 4 (WIVB-TV) the local franchisee has decided to permanently close all 17 dine-in restaurants in Western New York as evidenced by Pizza Hut's website.

Passing the Pizza Hut restaurant on Niagara Falls Blvd, in the Falls its sad to see, as many parents with children in-tow used to spend many an evening pouring over the menu and salad buffet.  Some sites have a note on the window that reads, because of COVID-19 and government restrictions, the restaurant would be temporarily closed.

Last August, the chain announced plans to close 500 under preforming restaurants over the next two years.

Officials confirmed that the departure of the chain from WNY is the result of the initial temporary closing of Pizza Huts because of COVID-19 restrictions.

“Pizza Hut has new franchisees coming into the New York region, and we are hopeful we will be able to serve our customers in this area again in the future,” the spokesperson said.

Below is a list compiled by WIVB of the stores that have closed:

loading...

According to their website, Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in their hometown of Wichita, Kansas. When a friend suggested opening a pizza parlor—then a rarity—they agreed that the idea could prove successful, and they borrowed $600 from their mother to start a business with partner John Bender.

Pizza Hut currently operates roughly 7,450 locations including 6,100 dine-in restaurants and 1,350 express stores across the United States.

Beware of These 50 Jobs That Might Vanish in the Next 50 Years

More From 92.9 WBUF