Brand naming is a crucial step in establishing a business. A great name should be simple, memorable, and reflect the nature of the business. Sometimes even constraints can lead to clever naming, as demonstrated by Pizza Hut.
In 1958, two brothers Dan and Frank Carney borrowed $600 from their mother to open a pizza outlet in Wichita, Kansas. With limited funds, they wanted a name that best summarizes their business. They found a building with a signboard that could accommodate only nine letters, including spaces.
Determined to fit this constraint, the brothers brainstormed and chose “Pizza Hut.” While “Pizza” indicated their primary offering, “Hut” described the building’s shape. The name was not only simple, memorable and unique, but also reflected the cozy nature of the establishment.
Pizza Hut’s clever naming quickly made it synonymous with delicious pizza served in a homely setting. This story shows how limitations can also inspire memorable branding.
