Almost three-quarters of consumers agree that foodservice pizza is better than frozen retail pizza, putting operators in a good position to focus on delivering a well-rounded AFH pizza experience to keep patrons coming back. Delivering on convenience, customization and efficient service will be vital to maintain consumer satisfaction and loyalty.
US Pizza Restaurants Market – Current Landscape
Pizza is primarily leaned on for lunch and dinner meals, but growth will come from extending pizza to new eating occasions. An opportunity lies in creating snackable offerings, like handhelds and personal pizzas, to appeal to solo diners and encourage pizza consumption at different times of the day or even on-the-go. Offering balanced options in terms of portion size and sides can also help expand pizza’s appeal, providing consumers with more ways to participate in pizza occasions.
The US foodservice pizza market continues to face challenges from evolving consumer preferences and economic pressures. With over half of consumers driven by special deals, brands must rethink affordability and convenience strategies to stay competitive. Enhancing presence on third-party delivery channels will allow operators to increase and maintain their exposure. Partnering with delivery aggregators can help operators reach consumers throughout the day and boost accessibility.
US Pizza Restaurants Market Report – What’s Inside?
Key Topics Analyzed in the Report
- Pizza restaurant visitation and perceptions
- Appealing pizza crust/toppings and concepts
- Interests in side options
- Pizza ordering motivators
- Pizza restaurant behaviors and attitudes
Meet the Expert Behind the Analysis
Pooja is an Analyst for US Foodservice and Mintel Menu Insights. She has over 5 years of experience working in Sales and Consumer Insights with CPG companies on both the Retail and Foodservice segments of the business. Pooja earned her Bachelors of Commerce degree from Saint Mary’s University in Nova Scotia, Canada. She is based in New York.
Consumers are seeking diverse experiences and desire balanced options, highlighting the need for customization and variety in AFH pizza.
Pooja Lal
Research Analyst
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Executive Summary
- What you need to know
- Market predictions
- What consumers want & why
- Opportunities
- Change the narrative around FS pizza
- Graph 1: pizza occasions, 2024
- Get personal with diverse solo options
- Snackable menu items can expand reach in more ways than one
- Graph 2: appealing pizza concepts, 2024
- Pizza chains hone in on hand-held, snackable pizza bites
- Yum Brands leans on AI to improve BOH operations
- Domino’s is tapping into AI capabilities
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Market Dynamics
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Pizza QSRs are feeling the pressure…
- …but Little Caesar’s is expanding
- Tighter budgets continue to influence spending
- Graph 3: changes to household budgets, May 2024
- Price is a key visitation driver to build loyalty
- Graph 4: reasons for restaurant loyalty, February 2024
- Retail and foodservice collaborations extend reach and exposure
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Consumer Insights
- Consumer fast facts
- Pizza restaurant visitation
- Fast food pizza excels in dine-in and delivery
- Graph 5: pizza restaurant visitation, 2023-24
- …. but consumers are taking a diverse approach to pizza dining
- Graph 6: pizza restaurant visitation – NET, 2023-24
- Fast casuals have an opportunity build on younger consumers’ needs
- Graph 7: types of restaurants ordered from, by generation, 2024
- Pizza restaurant perceptions
- Build on pizza possibilities for solo diners
- Graph 8: pizza restaurant perceptions, 2024
- Boomers have positive associations with pizza, younger consumers need some convincing
- Graph 9: pizza restaurant perceptions, by generation, 2024
- Put pizza in the permissible indulgence category
- Graph 10: pizza restaurant perceptions, by gender, 2024
- Improve on convenience through accessibility
- Graph 11: pizza restaurant perceptions, by region, 2024
- Appealing pizza crust types
- Consumers seek variety in pizza crusts
- Graph 12: appealing pizza crust types, 2021-24
- Guide consumers of all ages to new pizza experiences
- Graph 13: appealing pizza crust types, by generation, 2021-24
- Professor Pizza leaves out the guesswork
- Lighter pizza varieties will appeal to women
- Graph 14: appealing pizza crust types, by gender, 2024
- Appealing pizza toppings
- Consumers want fresh and trendy ingredients
- Graph 15: appealing pizza toppings, 2024
- Relook at dairy-free cheese for Gen Z and generations to come
- Graph 16: appealing pizza toppings, by generation, 2024
- Male consumers are looking to heat things up
- Graph 17: pizza toppings, by gender, 2024
- Accommodate the pizza experience by understanding cultural influences
- Graph 18: appealing pizza toppings, by race, 2024
- Appealing pizza concepts
- Think outside the pizza box with innovation
- Graph 19: appealing pizza concepts, 2024
- Put a new spin on regional influences through “sauce” innovation
- Millennials are flavor and experience seekers
- Graph 20: pizza concepts, by generation, 2024
- Find the grey area between anytime and occasional indulgences
- Graph 21: appealing pizza concepts, by gender, 2024
- Pizza restaurant other menu item interest
- Position pizza as a balanced meal through adequate side options
- Graph 22: pizza restaurant other menu item interest, 2024
- Mix and match deals will allow patrons to curate their own experience
- Graph 23: pizza restaurant other menu item interest, by generation, 2024
- Take inspiration from the “salad and fries trend”
- Graph 24: pizza restaurant other menu item interest, by gender, 2024
- Put your own spin on “Girl Dinner”
- Pizza ordering motivators
- Consumers are seeking balance
- Graph 25: pizza restaurant ordering motivators, 2024
- Online reviews and social media are just as motivating as deals and promos for younger generations
- Graph 26: pizza restaurant ordering motivators, by generation, 2024
- Pizza reviewer and influencer: Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente)
- Balance customizable and pre-set options to feed differing appetites
- Graph 27: pizza restaurant ordering motivators, by gender, 2024
- Pizza restaurant behaviors
- Pizza reviews can drive new trial
- Graph 28: pizza restaurant behaviors, 2024
- Gen X is tech-focused, but not tech-motivated
- Graph 29: pizza restaurant behaviors, by generation, 2024
- Pizza restaurant attitudes
- Foodservice pizza > frozen/retail pizza
- Graph 30: pizza restaurant attitudes, 2024
- The delivery experience requires continuous improvement
- Graph 31: pizza restaurant attitudes, 2024
- Younger consumers want to hit their macros
- Graph 32: pizza restaurant attitudes, by generation, 2024
- Pizza protein hacks are emerging
- Male consumers have adventurous palates
- Graph 33: pizza restaurant attitudes, by gender, 2024
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Innovation and Marketing Strategies
- Launch activity and innovation
- Pizza Hut introduces a new pizza format: Chicago Tavern Style
- Blaze Pizza is out with the old and in with the new
- Pizza Hut is exploring new menu items
- Global ingredients inspire new pizza styles
- Tony Baloney’s taps into taco Tuesday with a spin
- Seasonal ingredients give consumers something to look forward to
- Pizza menus are getting hotter
- Customers can help shape up pizza menus
- Al taglio style pizza promises variety in every slice
- Showcase authenticity through simple ingredients
- Peter Piper Pizza dabbles into the dessert space
- Marketing and advertising
- Mod Pizza ditches the one size fits all approach
- Domino’s enhances its $6.99 mix and match deal
- Domino’s Emergency Pizza makes a comeback
- Domino’s and Uber Eats work together to push delivery sales
- Papa Murphy’s brings back an October special
- Spotlight: National Pizza Month
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Appendix
- Consumer research questions
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms
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