A couple in Kentucky has turned their garage into a full-scale replica of a retro Pizza Hut restaurant, with booth seating, old-school arcade games, and plenty of hot, cheesy pizzas.
Stephanie Hubbard, a mother of two from London, Kentucky, showcased the unique project in a TikTok video that quickly caught attention.
While the sight of a steaming pizza served in a classic iron skillet captured the appetites of many, the video resonated on a deeper level, offering a sentimental trip down memory lane.
As social divisions grow, nostalgia is a powerful way to improve emotional well-being.
A 2023 study in the Journal of Happiness Studies showed that revisiting cherished memories can boost gratitude and lift spirits.
This sentiment likely inspired Stephanie and Chris Hubbard to transform their garage into a nostalgic tribute to the retro Pizza Hut restaurant, blending creativity with a touch of the past.
“We had purchased a couple of arcade machines to go in our garage, specifically Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Stephanie said. “After we set them up my husband and I were reminiscing about how much fun we had as kids playing it at Pizza Hut.”
Stephanie reflected on her childhood trips to Pizza Hut as more than just meals—they were treasured experiences.
She described a time when dining out at a sit-down restaurant was a rare and special treat.
The arcade games, jukebox, and signature Pizza Hut atmosphere all played a part in creating those lasting memories.
Without the interruptions of modern technology, every moment felt meaningful and unforgettable.
The idea for the project came when Chris suggested transforming their garage into a replica of a classic Pizza Hut.
Stephanie immediately embraced the idea, needing little convincing.
The plan took shape in 2022, and since then, the couple has been on a mission to collect authentic Pizza Hut items from the 1980s and 1990s.
Over two years, they’ve spent about $3,000 on the project. However, many of the pieces were gifted by friends and family, including the iconic red cups, which Stephanie’s mother found at a Goodwill store in Dayton.
Stephanie highlighted the difficulty of finding retro Pizza Hut memorabilia, especially on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, where rare items often sell out quickly.
The booth seating was tough to find, but Stephanie got lucky when a kind woman gave her the booth and tables for free.
She also made an unexpected discovery with the iconic “Please Wait to Be Seated” sign.
Stephanie credits the success of their project to the support of friends and family, who helped find retro Pizza Hut restaurant memorabilia, and to Chris for his creativity and resourcefulness.
One example is their trip to Illinois to pick up a delivery car topper, which Chris turned into a light fixture above the arcade games.
Two years later, their garage has become a cherished “happy place” where the family continues to create lasting memories.
“We have an incredible group of friends that have spent a lot of time in that garage with us and have eaten quite a bit of pizza,” Stephanie said. “For my 40th we hosted a prom.”
The couple also added a Christmas tree decorated in the restaurant’s signature red color, red booths, checkered tablecloths, Pizza Hut lamps, and vintage photos on the walls. as per the Daily Mail.
Their children, Weston, 22, and Kassidy, 12, enjoy the nostalgic space.
Stephanie noted that Weston got to experience some of the original retro restaurant charm before they started fading away, and Kassidy is beginning to appreciate it more, especially after spending time in the booth.
Stephanie’s TikTok video showcasing the project has received over one million views, with viewers expressing deep emotional reactions.
One commenter said it reminded them of their childhood, while another shared that it made them miss their family so much they were brought to tears.
Furthermore, fans of the Pizza Hut-inspired project have suggested that the chain could profit by reopening locations with this nostalgic design.
The official Pizza Hut account also expressed approval, calling it “so nostalgic.”
One viewer said they would become a regular customer if the chain returned to this style, noting it had been over 20 years since their last visit. Another fan described the project as “one of the most incredible things” they’d seen, as it brought back childhood memories.
Meanwhile, the video was posted just three months after reports that 127 Pizza Hut locations in the U.S. were at risk of closing.
Over the years, the chain’s interior design has evolved, with many restaurants abandoning the iconic red roof.
Check out the couple’s garage turned into a retro Pizza Hut restaurant through the video below:
@ksbrowneyedgirls @Pizza Hut The garage Pizza Hut is finally complete! #bestmemories ♬ Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now – Starship
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They even have the payphone!