Pizza Hut has bought the

Aberdeen Angus leasehold site on Regent Street in the West End of London.

It will pay a passing rent of £230,000 for the flagship site. It plans to buy another 35 outlets by the end of the year.

New restaurant numbers will rise to 100 by the end of 2002. It will also open 30 delivery outlets.

Pizza Hut has set up a website aimed at property agents, detailing its requirements. It is offering agents up to £5,000 for introducing it to new sites.

The company said it wanted to continue rapid expansion.