The chain was founded in 1958 by Dan and Frank Carney. They chose the name "Pizza Hut" since the sign they purchased only had enough space for nine characters and spaces.

From Wikipedia.

> Pizza Hut

We were talking about Italian restaurants though. Pizza Hut fare is about as Italian as Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Also, I think that his whole point was about a "nice little Italian restaurant", not about a franchise.

Gordon Ramsay started with one restaurant.

So did Batali with Po, Lupa, Esca, etc. Italian!

So did Colicchio with Craft.