The Hallrich Story
Circa 1968, Austintown OH:
One tiny, Ohio pizza parlor spawned a mighty Pizza Hut franchise of 124 locations mostly in Ohio, plus 7 restaurants in West Virginia, 4 in Pennsylvania, and 1 in Indiana. Now known as Hallrich Incorporated.
Hallrich continues to be a people-first company. It has made a more-than-modest contribution to the Ohio Valley’s economic strength during its 50+ year history. For the brand, its lead executives have served and continue to serve on system committees to help steer the brand to further success.
A small slice, but a huge opportunity
In 1965, A.E. Szambecki was hired as a dishwasher by Pizza Hut's Wichita, Kansas parent company. An 18-year-old college student, he was paid 50-cents an hour. "I left a truck driving job that paid more," Szambecki recalls, "but the hours at Pizza Hut allowed me to continue my education.” Starting from the ground up, Szambecki worked through his "pizza apprenticeship” and ultimately began training new franchisees.
Important pieces of the pie
In 1968, William G. Halls and A. Scott Ritchie bought a Pizza Hut franchise, with plans to open in Austintown, just outside Youngstown, Ohio. They enticed Szambecki to Ohio to run it. As Szambecki puts it, "They offered me twice the work for half the pay – “what a deal!" but since the offer included an equity option, Szambecki accepted.
From the start, the relationship between the three men was a win/win situation. Halls and Ritchie correctly surmised that Szambecki's experience in training new franchise owners would be tremendously valuable to them. Szambecki's restaurant management knowledge, the partners felt, would augment their own skills and assure the new company's success. For his part, Szambecki recognized an adventure when he saw one. He said goodbye to Wichita and drove 1,000 miles to Ohio.
Today: Pizza Hut reigns supreme
Pizza Hut LLC's vision to pioneer new, quality products for their customers continues to help grow the business. Hallrich helped launch two new concepts: Italian Bistro and Wing Street. Wing Street proved more successful with the consumer, quickly becoming a favorite menu offering. And just recently, Hallrch Pizza Huts helped bring Detroit Style Pizza to the Midwest and ultimately to the nation.
And of significant note, regarding Hallrich’s people, Scott C. Arbuthnot was promoted to President in 2017 and CEO in 2020. He will lead the future generations of Pizza Hut team members and continue the legacy of serving the system through the IPHFHA Board and other committees.
Hallrich will continue to reinvest in the company and is committed to rebuilding and revitalizing the Pizza Hut brand.
Sharing a slice
This people-focused organization also gives back to each community it serves. Hallrich proudly supports the BOOK IT!, program and offers fundraising programs for non-profits, as well as makes hot pizza donations to hot meal programs (having served over 20,000 slices of pizza in the last two years). Further, Hallrich donates roughly 40,000 pounds of food to the Harvest Program each year. In 2014, Hallrich Pizza Hut teams and generous guests raised $36,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Finally, during the 2020 pandemic, Hallrich teams donated over 8,000 pizzas to schools, hospitals, firefighters, families and others to provide support, to say THANK YOU!
With all the changes - past, present and future - Hallrich recognizes that people are their greatest asset, and that commitment, quality, and exceptional service are the recipe for success. The people complete the pie, pun intended!
The Hallrich Story
Circa 1968, Austintown OH:
One tiny, Ohio pizza parlor spawned a mighty Pizza Hut franchise of 124 locations mostly in Ohio, plus 7 restaurants in West Virginia, 4 in Pennsylvania, and 1 in Indiana. Now known as Hallrich Incorporated.
Hallrich continues to be a people-first company. It has made a more-than-modest contribution to the Ohio Valley’s economic strength during its 50+ year history. For the brand, its lead executives have served and continue to serve on system committees to help steer the brand to further success.
A small slice, but a huge opportunity
In 1965, A.E. Szambecki was hired as a dishwasher by Pizza Hut's Wichita, Kansas parent company. An 18-year-old college student, he was paid 50-cents an hour. "I left a truck driving job that paid more," Szambecki recalls, "but the hours at Pizza Hut allowed me to continue my education.” Starting from the ground up, Szambecki worked through his "pizza apprenticeship” and ultimately began training new franchisees.
Important pieces of the pie
In 1968, William G. Halls and A. Scott Ritchie bought a Pizza Hut franchise, with plans to open in Austintown, just outside Youngstown, Ohio. They enticed Szambecki to Ohio to run it. As Szambecki puts it, "They offered me twice the work for half the pay – “what a deal!" but since the offer included an equity option, Szambecki accepted.
From the start, the relationship between the three men was a win/win situation. Halls and Ritchie correctly surmised that Szambecki's experience in training new franchise owners would be tremendously valuable to them. Szambecki's restaurant management knowledge, the partners felt, would augment their own skills and assure the new company's success. For his part, Szambecki recognized an adventure when he saw one. He said goodbye to Wichita and drove 1,000 miles to Ohio.
Today: Pizza Hut reigns supreme
Pizza Hut LLC's vision to pioneer new, quality products for their customers continues to help grow the business. Hallrich helped launch two new concepts: Italian Bistro and Wing Street. Wing Street proved more successful with the consumer, quickly becoming a favorite menu offering. And just recently, Hallrch Pizza Huts helped bring Detroit Style Pizza to the Midwest and ultimately to the nation.
And of significant note, regarding Hallrich’s people, Scott C. Arbuthnot was promoted to President in 2017 and CEO in 2020. He will lead the future generations of Pizza Hut team members and continue the legacy of serving the system through the IPHFHA Board and other committees.
Hallrich will continue to reinvest in the company and is committed to rebuilding and revitalizing the Pizza Hut brand.
Sharing a slice
This people-focused organization also gives back to each community it serves. Hallrich proudly supports the BOOK IT!, program and offers fundraising programs for non-profits, as well as makes hot pizza donations to hot meal programs (having served over 20,000 slices of pizza in the last two years). Further, Hallrich donates roughly 40,000 pounds of food to the Harvest Program each year. In 2014, Hallrich Pizza Hut teams and generous guests raised $36,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Finally, during the 2020 pandemic, Hallrich teams donated over 8,000 pizzas to schools, hospitals, firefighters, families and others to provide support, to say THANK YOU!
With all the changes - past, present and future - Hallrich recognizes that people are their greatest asset, and that commitment, quality, and exceptional service are the recipe for success. The people complete the pie, pun intended!