Pizza Hut Tests ‘Skinny Slice’

Pizza Hut is testing out “skinny slices” in two U.S. cities for those who are trying to cut calories without cutting their favorite foods, the Associated Press reports.

In Toledo, Ohio, customers will be able to create an entire pie of skinny slices with up to five toppings, with each slice under 300 calories. In West Palm Beach, Fla., customers will have a selection of six pre-set skinny slice pies, with each slice under 250 calories.

The caloric reduction is due to using less dough and fewer toppings, a Pizza Hut spokesman told the AP.

A non-skinny slice of Pizza Hut pizza ranges from 180 calories (12″ medium Thin ‘N Crispy Veggie Lover’s) to 470 calories (14″ large pan Meat Lover’s), according to Pizza Hut’s nutrition information.

Pizza Hut’s lighter pizza is the fast food industry’s latest attempt at improving its image, though to date the success has been limited. Burger King last year unveiled its lower-calorie fries, called “Satisfries,” but discontinued them in August after the snack failed to resonate with customers. Domino’s previously tested a whole wheat crust to appeal to diners on the Atkins diet, but soon abandoned that idea, too.

In fact, the real demand at fast food restaurants may in fact be for their unhealthy options. At Wendy’s, for example, owners decided to bring back the Pretzel Bacon Burger permanently after strong customer demand, and the burger soon garnered heavy praise from critics and customers alike.