Pizza Hut – in collaboration with Americana Restaurants – has launched a restaurant in Saudi Arabia, operated by talents with hearing and speech challenges.
The initiative, which was launched during the ‘International Week of Deaf People 2024’, is part of Pizza Hut’s “Opportunity4All” campaign under the brand’s mission to offer ‘an equal slice for everyone’ and is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to create a pathway for all individuals to reach their full potential.
Rooted in the belief that everyone deserves an equal opportunity in life, the programme demonstrates Pizza Hut’s ongoing commitment to promote inclusivity and empowerment, with this restaurant marking the beginning of a larger plan to expand across the Kingdom and the Middle East.
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“Launching this restaurant on such a significant day was a symbolic step in our journey towards inclusivity. At Pizza Hut, we believe in the power of diverse talents and are proud to celebrate the abilities of our new team members,” said Nadine El Hadad, Chief People Officer, Pizza Hut Global Franchisee Markets – Yum! Brands.
Pizza Hut expands inclusivity across the Kingdom and beyond
The newly opened Pizza Hut restaurant is located in Andalusian Plaza, 4034 Salman Al Farsi, Al Nahda, Riyadh.
However, Pizza Hut has confirmed to Campaign Middle East that the Riyadh restaurant is just the beginning of inclusive restaurants in the Kingdom. Pizza Hut and Americana Restaurants have ambitious plans to extend this programme across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, creating more opportunities for individuals with disabilities and set a precedent for inclusivity in the region.
As part of this long-term vision, Pizza Hut will continue to work closely with local organisations, and along with the support of the government, ensuring that future stores are accessible to all.
The store staff with hearing and speech impairments are supported by senior team members, all of whom have undergone sign language training as part of the partnership with Sa3ee.
Community-driven event to celebrate the Pizza Hut store launch
To mark this milestone, Pizza Hut, hosted an event featuring eminent dignitaries from Sa3ee for Rehabilitation & Employment for Disabilities, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the key leadership of Yum! Brands and Americana Restaurants.
During this gathering, these key leaders spoke about the importance of the “Opportunity4All”campaign, highlighting the vital role of inclusivity in creating a diverse workforce.
“We are proud to support initiatives like Pizza Hut’s ‘Opportunitiy4All’ programme, which aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 for a more inclusive and diverse workforce in Saudi Arabia,” stated Fawaz alMalki, Director General of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development – Riyadh Branch.
“By creating employment opportunities for people with special needs, we are taking significant steps toward fostering an environment where everyone can contribute to the Kingdom’s growth and prosperity,” alMalki added.
The event – interpreted in sign language – included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, symbolising the official opening of the restaurant attended by the special talent from the store, their parents and caregivers, and key VIPs, further emphasising the strong support from various sectors across the Kingdom.
Nurturing local talent and driving collaboration
Echoing the Kingdom’s commitment to ensuring the independence and integration of specially abled people in the society, Pizza Hut’s programme aims to spotlight the abilities of individuals with hearing and speech impairments.
The partnership with Sa3ee, a local NGO that was instrumental in supporting the hiring and onboarding of these exceptional team members.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has endorsed the initiative, recognising its importance towards nation building and achieving the Saudi Vision 2030.
Americana’s understanding of local markets was crucial in driving the real impact of the ‘Opportunity4All’ campaign.
Focused on delivering exceptional experiences for both employees and customers, Americana swiftly upgraded its store infrastructure, training materials, and processes to ensure accessibility for individuals with special talents.
“We at Americana feel deeply about our purpose of ‘Building Communities Around the Joy of Food.’ We operate six stores in Egypt entirely run by specially-abled team members, and it’s heartening to have extended that to Saudi today. We are committed to grow Americana’s community of People of Determination across our markets,” said Amarpal Sandhu, CEO, Americana Restaurants.
Marzouk Bin Amria, Chairman of Sa3ee for Rehabilitation & Employment for Disabilities, concluded, “This initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration between businesses and NGOs in driving meaningful change for individuals with disabilities. By partnering with Pizza Hut and Americana Restaurants, we are not only providing valuable employment opportunities but also setting a precedent for inclusivity in the workplace.”
