Pizza Hut franchise fined £39,000 after rat infestation in Chingford branch

A Pizza Hut franchise in East London has been fined more than £39,000 after Waltham Forest Council’s environmental health team uncovered a serious rat infestation, marking another cautionary tale for food operators about the importance of hygiene and compliance in the hospitality sector  .

The Chingford Mount Road branch was inspected in November 2021 following a public complaint. Officers found evidence of rat droppings, poor pest proofing, and inadequate cleanliness. The restaurant was immediately shut down to protect public health.

At Stratford Magistrates’ Court on 14 October 2025, franchise owner Alhassan Goussous, director of GH Pizzas Ltd. (formerly MSAJ Pizza Ltd.), pleaded guilty to failing to adequately control pests. He was fined £23,500 and ordered to pay £15,690 in costs, totalling more than £39,000, payable within six months  .

Public Health and Business Accountability

Councillor Khevyn Limbajee, Cabinet Member for Community Safety at Waltham Forest Council, described the situation as “unfortunate,” noting that despite the council’s intervention, the franchise had struggled with ongoing cleanliness and pest control issues.

“While the penalty in this case is significant, it is only a small measure of the seriousness of this offence and our determination to send a message to other food business operators who fail to take necessary measures to protect the public,” he said .

The case underscores a growing trend in local authority enforcement against hospitality venues that fall short of food safety standards. It follows several high-profile incidents across the UK where councils have imposed substantial fines and, in some cases, temporary closures.

A Reopened Store — But Reputation Damage Remains

Following corrective action and a thorough reinspection, the Chingford branch has since reopened and currently holds a Food Standards Agency hygiene rating of three out of five, meaning its hygiene levels are “generally satisfactory.” The latest inspection was conducted in June 2025 .

Pizza Hut said in a statement that the Chingford site is independently owned and that it has worked closely with the franchisee to ensure compliance with the brand’s strict hygiene requirements. The company emphasised that the store was reopened only after environmental health officers verified all corrective actions.

Lessons for the Hospitality and Fast Food Sector

With GH Pizzas Ltd. reporting an annual turnover of £14.5 million and operating several fast food franchises across the capital, this case serves as a reminder that size and success do not exempt businesses from regulatory scrutiny .

For operators in the hospitality and quick-service industries, the Chingford case offers a stark lesson: hygiene negligence not only poses a direct threat to customers but can also inflict severe reputational and financial damage.

Beyond compliance, it reinforces the necessity for proactive internal auditing, regular pest control measures, and the cultivation of a food safety culture that goes beyond box-ticking. As consumer awareness and local authority oversight continue to rise, maintaining hygiene excellence is not just a legal obligation — it is a business imperative.