Copy Claims Spark Food Fight

Bangkok Post:

The operator of Pizza Hut has accused its arch-rival The Pizza Company of copying its pizza franchise’s business concepts and has lodged a formal complaint with the company. Joseph Han, vice-president and country manager of Yum! Restaurants, which runs Pizza Hut, said its legal consultant had sent a formal letter of complaint to The Pizza Company concerning the possibility of remedial action over the alleged use of similar products and promotions.

Pizza Hut said its products and promotions came from innovations by its international parent and sister companies. It claims that the Thai-owned Pizza Company has been quick to follow in terms of product names, products and graphics.

For example, Yum! claims Pizza Hut’s Amazing 4 Pizzas in December 2002 was copied by The Pizza Company’s The Pizza 4-in-1 promotion in 2003.

Similar allegations surround the pair’s launches in China, where Pizza Hut released an Exotica Pizza in September 2004 and The Pizza Company promoted an Extra Crust Sausage pizza, which had a similar design.

In 2005, Pizza Hut launched One-4-Share which Yum! says was copied by The Pizza Company with its X-Pan pizza.

Pizza Hut launched its latest two promotions, Cheesy Sausage Bites pizza and Mighty Meat Korean Bulkiki pizza, on May 24 and Aug 23 respectively.

Soon after, Yum! claims similar product concepts appeared from The Pizza Company, using slightly different names _ Extra Cheesy Sausage Bites and Korean Meat Deluxe pizza.

Mr Han said Yum! had taken action to defend its Pizza Hut brand because consumers could start becoming confused.

He would not comment on whether there had been similar action in other countries, saying that he was responsible only for the franchise in Thailand.

Mr Han also declined to disclose whether Yum! would take legal action.