Pizza Hut has appointed a specialist business property adviser to search out new sites as it looks to expand its delivery and takeaway offerings.

Christie & Co will assist Pizza Hut in acquiring sites by converting existing operators with 125 extra franchisees planned initially, largely in the South West and North East.

Pizza Hut has more than 600 sites in the UK, 380 of them delivery and takeaway only.

Demand for delivery has grown during lockdown with more than half a million more orders compared to the same period in 2019.

Christie & Co senior director Simon Chaplin said: "We are very excited to be working with Pizza Hut in the expansion of its delivery business.

"We are using our industry knowledge to seek out ambitious entrepreneurs who wish to become part of the Pizza Hut Delivery brand by becoming regional franchisees through the conversion of their own stores.

"We are sure the support and benefits of being part of such an international operation will be of interest to many as it brings with it a wealth of advantages over the competition and ultimately the opportunity to grow in this fast moving sector."

Pizza Hut Delivery has similar growth aspirations across Europe with an immediate focus on priority markets France, Germany and Russia.