Pizza Hut will begin offering certified gluten-free pizza at about a third of its domestic restaurants later this month, according to the brand’s website.
Beginning Jan. 26, about 2,400 of the chain’s more than 7,800 U.S. units will offer cheese and pepperoni with marinara sauce on Udi’s gluten-free pizza crusts.
The pizza and its preparation procedures are certified gluten free by the Gluten Intolerance Group, according to the website, noting that the crust will be stored in separate containers on separate refrigerator shelves, and the cheese, marinara sauce and pepperoni will be “stored in a gluten-free designated kit.”
Pizza Hut is the first national quick-service chain to introduce pizza certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group.
The pies will be baked on parchment paper to avoid contamination, and employees making the pizza will wear gloves and use designated gluten-free pizza cutters to slice the pizzas, which will be 10 inches wide and sliced into six pieces.
The pizza, which USA Today reports will be priced at $9.99, can also be made with additional items “for those simply looking to reduce gluten in their diets,” according to Pizza Hut’s website.
Many chains have introduced gluten-free items in recent years, including Dunkin’ Donuts, Hurricane Grill & Wings and pizza chains including Hungry Howie’s and Papa Murphy’s. Pizza Hut rival Domino’s Pizza rolled out gluten-free pizza in 2012.
Pizza Hut is a subsidiary of Yum! Brands Inc.
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