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22-Year-Old Wahine Māori Rises Through Ranks To Buy Her Own Pizza Hut
By Layla Bailey-McDowell, Māori News Journalist
22-Year-Old Wahine Māori Rises Through Ranks To Buy Her Own Pizza Hut
By Layla Bailey-McDowell, Māori News Journalist
Published 03-11-25
Submitted by Yum! Brands
Across Pizza Hut, we are constantly inspired by the grit and determination shown by the people who operate and work in our restaurants. Congratulations to one of our newest restaurant owners for her remarkable achievement!
Caitlyn Lewin (Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri and Rangitāne o Wairau) started working at Pizza Hut at the age of 15 with no CV, just a handwritten note.
"It was the first ever job I gave my CV in to. I didn't even have a CV at the time. I just wrote some random stuff on a paper at the library and just took it in. Got an interview, got the job, and literally started washing dishes three days a week."
Now, at 22 years old, she owns her own store in Tawa, Wellington.
Continue reading here on RNZ
Yum! Brands
Yum! Brands
Yum! Brands, Inc., based in Louisville, Kentucky, and its subsidiaries franchise or operate a system of over 60,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries and territories under the company’s concepts – Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut and Habit Burger & Grill. The Company's Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut brands are global leaders of the Mexican-inspired food, chicken and pizza categories, respectively. Habit Burger & Grill is a fast casual restaurant concept specializing in made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches and more. In 2024, Yum! was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index North America, Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies, USA Today’s America’s Climate Leaders and 3BL’s list of 100 Best Corporate Citizens. In 2025, the Company was recognized among TIME magazine’s list of Best Companies for Future Leaders. In addition, Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut brands were ranked in the top 25 of Entrepreneur’s Top Global Franchises Ranking for 2025, with Taco Bell securing the No. 1 spot for the fifth consecutive year.
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