US Pizza Restaurants
The U.S. pizza restaurant market is expected to make $50.1 billion by 2024. There will be over 74,000 pizzerias, according to IBISWorld. Estimates show that 40 to 60 percent of this market is made up of independent pizzerias. These are pizzerias that are not part of franchise agreements. About 82 percent of respondents in the Pizzeria Operator Survey are independent operators.
More than half of that money went to just 12 well-known restaurants. The fast food pizza chains, called quick service restaurants (QSRs), focus on speed and size. But are they really as good as the independent pizza places? Is it fair to compare them to local pizza shops? It's time to see which corporate pizza really deserves the top spot. Let's jump into the ultimate taste test and rate each pizzeria to find the best one.
Papa John's
Starting with Papa John's, we sampled their classic cheese and "The Works" pizza. The cheese pizza had a surprising crunch but lacked flavor depth. The sauce wasn't too sweet, which was a plus, but overall, it was a flat C-tier experience. "The Works" pizza fell apart during filming, revealing the average quality of its toppings. Papa John's lands solidly in the C-tier.
Papa John's has long been a staple in the fast food pizza realm, often praised for its "better ingredients, better pizza" mantra. However, our experience suggested that this slogan might be more aspirational than factual. The crust, while crunchy, seemed to lack the fresh bread aroma that makes a pizza irresistible. The cheese was average. The sauce, which was not too sweet, did not have the rich tomato flavor we wanted. The toppings on "The Works" were plentiful but didn't harmonize well, leading to a disjointed bite every time. The experience made us think. Is Papa John's relying on its reputation? Or is it not coming up with new ideas to stay competitive?
Did you know that Shaquille O'Neal is a board member at Papa John's. He created the Shaq-a-Roni pizza. This pizza has extra cheese, over 60 pepperoni slices, and eight foldable slices. Each sale donates $1 to The Papa John's Foundation, supporting youth leadership and fighting hunger.
Jet's Pizza
Jet's Pizza, known for its Detroit-style pizza, offered a cheese and a super special pizza. The cheese pizza was delightful, with caramelized edges and a good chew. However, the super special pizza tasted oddly similar to Chuck E. Cheese pizza. Despite its shortcomings, Jet's earns a B-tier rating, especially when paired with their famous ranch sauce.
Jet’s Pizza stands out with its special square slices and thick, fluffy crust. It is a popular choice for fans of Detroit-style pizza. The cheese pizza, with its tantalizing caramelized edges, exemplifies why this style has a devoted following. Each bite combines a delightful crunch with a soft, chewy interior that satisfies in a way that thinner crusts cannot. The super special pizza, even though it is like other brands, still brought a comforting feeling to the table. Jet's creamy ranch sauce added a tangy twist that improved the flavors. This made it a B-tier favorite. It’s a testament to how a simple accompaniment can sometimes make all the difference.
Blaze Pizza
Visually appealing, Blaze Pizza presented a cheese and a barbecue chicken pizza. The cheese pizza was crisp and had a better flavor profile, while the barbecue chicken pizza needed more cooking time. While Blaze's crust was too chewy for some, it still secured a B-tier rating for its overall taste.
Blaze Pizza is known for customization and speed. It is often compared to Subway or Chipotle in the pizza world. The build-your-own-pizza model lets diners pick from many toppings and sauces. This allows for a unique experience every time. The cheese pizza's crispness was commendable, striking a nice balance between a crunchy exterior and a soft interior. The barbecue chicken pizza, while flavorful, seemed undercooked in patches, a common risk with quick-serve models. Blaze's unique way of making pizza and its focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients make it popular. This earns it a solid B-tier ranking.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars, America's third top-grossing pizza chain, delivered a disappointing undercooked pizza. The dough, made in a distribution center, lacked seasoning, resulting in a low D-tier rating. The three meat treat stuffed crust relied heavily on salty toppings to mask its blandness.
Little Caesars has long been known for its budget-friendly pricing and the convenience of its Hot-N-Ready pizzas. However, affordability sometimes comes at the cost of quality. The undercooked dough was a significant letdown, overshadowing any potential the chain’s offerings might have had. The three meat treat had a stuffed crust. It was very salty and made us want water instead of another slice. Relying on too much salt to fix bland dough may appeal to some. However, it takes away from the overall pizza experience. Little Caesars seems to focus on speed and low prices instead of great food. This shows in its D-tier rating.
We have observed the ongoing Pizza War between Little Caesars and 7-Eleven. We will be publishing a blog post comparing their large pepperoni pizzas to determine which one reigns supreme.
Hungry Howie's
Known for inventing flavored crust pizza, Hungry Howie's offered a regular cheese pizza and a garlic butter crust pizza. Unfortunately, the dough was under-salted, and the flavor crust couldn't save it from a C-tier rating.
Hungry Howie's stands out in the busy fast food pizza market. They offer unique flavored crusts, like garlic butter and Cajun. While this innovation is commendable, the execution left much to be desired. The under-salted dough was a stark contrast to the bold flavors promised by the crust. The garlic butter crust, in particular, had potential but couldn't compensate for the blandness of the base. This contrast created a pizza that felt incomplete, as if two different ideas were clashing. Hungry Howie's still draws in customers with its creative ideas. However, it needs to improve its main products to move up from the C-tier.
Costco Pizza
The classic Costco combo of a hot dog and a soda for $1.50 is a favorite for many. It is also a great choice for those wanting a tasty meal on a budget. For just 49 cents more, you can add a slice of pizza. The individual slices are bigger than the slices from a whole 18-inch pizza. A whole Costco pizza costs $9.99 and is cut into 12 slices.
Costco's cheese and pepperoni pizzas offered a bang for your buck at $9.99 for a large. Costco got a B-tier rating because it has a great cheese-to-bread ratio. This shows that good taste can be affordable.
Costco, primarily known for its bulk goods and wholesale savings, has surprisingly made a name for itself in the pizza world. The sheer size of their pizzas and the attractive pricing make them a popular choice for families and parties. The cheese-to-bread ratio is one of Costco's strengths. It makes sure each slice is cheesy but not too much. The pepperoni pizza has plenty of toppings and classic flavors. It shows that simple things can bring great satisfaction. Costco can keep quality high while offering good value. Many fast food pizza chains find this hard to do. This earns Costco a well-deserved B-tier rating.
Godfather's Pizza
Godfather's classic cheese pizza was reminiscent of school cafeteria pizza, with a doughy and bready texture. The classic combo pizza was better. However, it still ended up in the C-tier. This was because it had too many toppings compared to the crust.
Godfather's Pizza adds a nostalgic feel to fast food pizza. It often reminds people of childhood pizza parties and school lunches. The classic cheese pizza, with its thick, doughy crust, might appeal to those who prefer a heartier base. However, the bready texture meant that the pizza lacked the crispness that many find desirable. The classic combo, while an improvement, suffered from an imbalance in its topping-to-crust ratio. The overwhelming crust overshadowed the flavors of the toppings, leading to an uneven dining experience. Godfather's brings back memories. I will save my nostalgia for the square school pizza and the triangle milk carton of the seventies.
Papa Murphy's
Papa Murphy's take-and-bake concept was intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The dough tasted plasticky and lacked flavor, resulting in an F-tier rating. Even fresh baking didn't redeem its Hot Pocket-like flavor.
Papa Murphy's offers a unique take-and-bake model, allowing customers to purchase uncooked pizzas to bake at home. While the concept is innovative, the execution didn't live up to expectations. The dough should have been a highlight because it was freshly baked. Instead, it tasted like processed food and left a plasticky aftertaste. Even though we could enjoy freshly baked pizza at home, it felt more like eating a reheated frozen one. The idea of customizable, fresh pizza is exciting. However, without better flavor and texture, Papa Murphy's stays in the F-tier.
CiCi's Pizza
CiCi's offered a frozen crust pizza with a zesty pepperoni option. Despite its garlicky flavor, the texture was soft and lacked crispness. With its "best pizza value anywhere" claim, CiCi's secured a D-tier ranking.
CiCi's Pizza markets itself as offering "the best pizza value anywhere," a bold statement in a competitive market. Their buffet-style restaurants let diners try many types of pizza, but the quality is often lacking. The frozen crust, while convenient, resulted in a texture that was too soft, lacking the desired crispness. The zesty pepperoni had a nice garlic flavor. It was a highlight, but it could not fix the crust's problems. CiCi's is a budget-friendly choice for those wanting to try different flavors. However, the overall experience falls short of its big promises, putting it in the D-tier.
Sbarro
Sbarro's New York-style pizza disappointed with its rubbery texture and lack of flavor. The Supreme version didn't fare much better, earning it an F-tier rating.
Sbarro is often found in mall food courts across America, offering a taste of New York-style pizza to the masses. However, our experience revealed that the execution fell short of the authentic experience. The rubbery crust made it less enjoyable. The crust and toppings also lacked flavor, which was disappointing. The Supreme version promised many toppings, but it did not improve the experience. The quality of each ingredient was poor. Sbarro is easy to grab for a quick meal while shopping. However, it does not have the flavor and texture of real New York-style pizza. Because of this, it gets an F-tier rating.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut's classic cheese and stuffed crust pepperoni pizzas were underwhelming despite their $5.5 billion revenue. The crust was bready and bland, but the pepperonis were a highlight. Pizza Hut landed in the D-tier.
Pizza Hut is a big name in the fast food pizza world. It has been popular for many years. People know it for its creative ideas, like stuffed crust pizza. However, our tasting revealed that despite its impressive revenue, the quality of its offerings is inconsistent. The classic cheese pizza was underwhelming, with a bready crust that lacked flavor. The stuffed crust pepperoni pizza, while a fun concept, relied heavily on the pepperonis to provide any notable taste. The idea of a stuffed crust promises indulgence, but without a flavorful base, it falls flat. Pizza Hut has a strong history in the pizza world. However, to keep its reputation, it must update its core recipes. This will help ensure the flavor matches its creative spirit. Right now, this is why it is in the D-tier.
Chuck E. Cheese
Chuck E. Cheese's pizza tasted like cardboard, with minimal flavor in both the cheese and five meat options. Despite its sales success, it earned an F-tier rating due to its lack of taste.
Chuck E. Cheese is synonymous with children's birthday parties, offering entertainment, games, and pizza in one location. The pizza, often hidden by the arcade games, is not very tasty or high quality. The cheese pizza was reminiscent of cardboard, lacking the gooey, melty quality one hopes for. The five meat option had many toppings, but it did not taste good. Each bite was more about texture than flavor. Even though many families love it, the food at Chuck E. Cheese needs a big improvement. Because of this, it gets an F-tier rating.
MOD Pizza
MOD Pizza, the Chipotle of pizza, offered a cold but flavorful experience. The Mad Dog pizza was notable for its toppings, but the crust was too thin for some. MOD Pizza secured a B-tier spot.
MOD Pizza is known for its customizable pizzas and fast service. Many compare it to Chipotle because of its assembly-line style. The Mad Dog pizza was full of toppings like pepperoni, sausage, and ground beef. It had a strong flavor that was both satisfying and hearty. However, the thinness of the crust was a detractor for those who prefer a more substantial base. While the pizza was flavorful, it was served colder than expected, which slightly diminished the overall experience. Even with these small issues, MOD Pizza stays true to fresh ingredients and customization. This keeps it a B-tier favorite for people who love making their perfect pizza.
Domino's
Domino's, the highest-grossing pizza chain in America, offered a garlic-flavored crust but an atrocious sauce. Their New York slice surprised with its good texture, though the sauce still disappointed. Domino's earned a C-tier rating.
Domino's has changed a lot over the years. They updated their menu and recipes to meet new customer tastes. The garlic-flavored crust was a highlight. It added a tasty kick to each slice. However, the sauce was disappointing. It lacked the rich tomato flavor needed to balance the heavy cheese and toppings. The New York slice was a nice surprise. It had a good texture and was easy to fold, just like real city slices. However, the sauce's inadequacy marred the overall experience. Domino's is still a popular choice because it is convenient and delivers consistently. However, to improve its C-tier rating, it needs to perfect its sauce. This will help enhance its better crust.
Marco's Pizza
Finally, Marco's Pizza emerged as the lone S-tier winner. With its perfectly burnished cheese, crisp pepperoni, and balanced sauce, Marco's impressed with its quality and flavor. It stood out as the best QSR pizza we've tasted.
Marco's Pizza may not be as well-known as other big brands, but it has built a strong reputation. It is known for its quality and flavor, which makes it stand out. The cheese on Marco's pizza is perfectly burnished, achieving that ideal melt that is both visually and gastronomically appealing. The pepperoni, crisped to perfection, adds a delightful crunch and spice that complements the cheese beautifully. The sauce is well-balanced, with a tomato richness that ties all the elements together without overpowering them. Marco's focus on quality ingredients and careful details gives it an S-tier rating. This shows that great fast food pizza is possible. As a standout winner, Marco's represents what fast food pizza can aspire to be.
The journey through America's fast food pizza scene showed that Marco's is the best choice. However, while these big chains rule the market, supporting local pizzerias can give you better quality and community support. So, before you order from the big names, think about trying your local mom-and-pop shops. Local pizzerias often use fresh ingredients. They also have unique recipes that reflect the chefs' personalities and their communities' cultures.
About The Pizza Prep Table Blog Author
Sean Kearney has an impressive background, having previously worked at the renowned Amazon.com before embarking on his entrepreneurial journey by founding The Restaurant Warehouse. Sean has over ten years of experience in the restaurant equipment and supplies industry. He understands what restaurants need to succeed. He graduated from the well-known University of Washington in 1993. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business and marketing. While at the university, he showed his athletic skills by playing linebacker for the Huskies football team. He demonstrated his commitment and teamwork both on and off the field. Today, Sean helps restaurants find the right equipment at fair prices. He makes sure they have the tools they need to succeed. Additionally, he offers various financing options to make the purchasing process easier for restaurant owners. If you’re interested in connecting with Sean and learning more about his expertise, you can connect with him on LinkedIn.