Hayley Bevin, 26, quit her job of seven years at Pizza Hut in Dunedin about three weeks ago after what she describes as a series of ''disgusting'' actions by the franchise owner.

Dunedin has two Pizza Hut stores, one in Hillside Rd, South Dunedin, and another in Great King St, North Dunedin.

Naveen Malhotra took over the two franchises of the chain about three months ago, and the hygiene and staff treatment ''kept getting worse'' after that, Bevin said.

He extended best-before dates on food, including chicken and seafood, she said.

The workers were told to use ''disgusting, crusty'' expired dough.

He also refused to fix a mixer which was leaking oil into dough, she said.

The last straw came when expired brownies which she had thrown in the skip were put back in rotation, she said. ''I came back on Monday and they were in the chiller. I knew it was the same packet, because I took a photo of it before I left.''

Restaurant Brands said it was aware of the issues and was working through them as a ''matter of urgency'', and the Ministry for Primary Industries is investigating.

The franchise owner has denied the claims.