What Is the Story Behind Wichita State’s Pizza Museum?

Believe it or not, Wichita has a rich history not just as a foodie-friendly city, but as the birthplace of several international restaurant chains. Arguably the most well-known of those is Pizza Hut.

Beginning in 1958 with brothers Dan and Frank Carney - both Wichita State students – Pizza Hut was born from $600 borrowed from their mom. The name Pizza Hut came to be because their original sign only had enough room for eight letters.

From there the restaurant expanded into one of the largest procurers of pizza on the planet with more than 19,000 locations across 100 countries. The building where it all started sits on the Wichita State University campus today as The Pizza Hut Museum, and tells the story of the restaurant’s nearly 70-year history. Inside, visitors can expect photos and displays from the first Pizza Hut to its expansion and modernization. This includes video and audio displays, as well as items such as original Pizza Hut recipes, schedules and more.

Clinton Dick/Wichita State Admissions

It was only in the past decade that the museum came to fruition. The building’s original location was the corner of Bluff and Kellogg in Wichita before being moved the Wichita State’s main campus. The Pizza Hut Museum opened in April of 2018.

Hours for the museum are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays. Admission is free, and with other spots on campus such as the Ulrich Art Museum, Cadman Art Gallery and Lowell Holmes Anthropology Museum, there is plenty to make a day of it.