Pizza Hut benefitted from easy comparisons, as its same-store sales decreased 7 percent in the year-earlier quarter. Still, the recent comps gain is a positive development, as the brand’s U.S. system saw its annual same-store-sales measure change from growth of 1 percent three years ago, to flat two years back to a decline of 2 percent last year.

Pie Five Pizza Co.’s 12.6-percent drop in same-store sales for the third quarter ended March 25, continued a negative trend for the fast-casual brand — the second quarter was down by 13.7 percent and the year-ago same quarter decreased by 15.8 percent.

With negative comps of 14.9 percent through three quarters that should have benefitted from easy comparisons, Pie Five is looking at every possible sales and traffic builder, including “delivery, cauliflower pizza crusts and shareable pizzas,” Scott Crane, chief executive of parent Rave Restaurant Group Inc., said recently. 

The reported financial results are for quarters ended closest to March 31, 2018. 

*Excludes McDonald’s and Popeyes global results.