Pizza has long been a staple of American cuisine, with its origins deeply rooted in Italian immigrant communities. Over the years, pizza has evolved to become a diverse and beloved food item, spawning numerous franchises across the United States. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the top pizza franchises in the U.S., highlighting their histories, unique selling points, menu offerings, and market positions.
1. Domino’s Pizza
History and Background: Domino’s Pizza was founded in 1960 by Tom Monaghan and his brother, James, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Originally called DomiNick’s, the name was changed to Domino’s in 1965. The franchise rapidly expanded, focusing on fast delivery and a simple menu.
Unique Selling Points: Domino’s is known for its emphasis on delivery and takeout, introducing the now-ubiquitous pizza delivery car topper. It also innovated with its online ordering system and mobile app, enhancing the customer experience.
Menu Offerings: Domino’s offers a variety of pizzas with different crust options, including hand-tossed, pan, thin crust, and gluten-free. The menu also features pasta, chicken wings, sandwiches, and desserts.
Market Position: Domino’s is one of the largest pizza chains globally, with over 17,000 locations in more than 90 countries. It leads the U.S. market in delivery and online sales.
2. Pizza Hut
History and Background: Pizza Hut was founded in 1958 by brothers Dan and Frank Carney in Wichita, Kansas. The chain quickly gained popularity, expanding across the U.S. and internationally.
Unique Selling Points: Pizza Hut is renowned for its dine-in experience, in addition to delivery and takeout. The chain introduced the concept of the “Pizza Hut Red Roof” dine-in restaurant, creating a distinctive brand identity.
Menu Offerings: Pizza Hut offers a wide range of pizzas with different crust types, including the famous stuffed crust. The menu also includes pasta, chicken wings, breadsticks, salads, and desserts.
Market Position: With over 18,000 locations worldwide, Pizza Hut remains a dominant player in the global pizza market. It is particularly strong in providing a sit-down dining experience.
3. Papa John’s
History and Background: Papa John’s was founded in 1984 by John Schnatter in Jeffersonville, Indiana. The company’s slogan, “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza,” reflects its focus on high-quality ingredients.
Unique Selling Points: Papa John’s emphasizes quality, claiming to use fresher ingredients and better dough. The brand is known for its signature garlic sauce and pepperoncini peppers included with each pizza.
Menu Offerings: The menu features various specialty pizzas, customizable options, chicken wings, breadsticks, and desserts. Papa John’s also offers gluten-free crust options.
Market Position: Papa John’s operates over 5,000 locations worldwide and maintains a strong presence in the U.S. market. It is particularly known for its quality-centric approach.
4. Little Caesars
History and Background: Founded in 1959 by Mike and Marian Ilitch in Garden City, Michigan, Little Caesars has grown to become the third-largest pizza chain in the U.S. by total sales.
Unique Selling Points: Little Caesars is known for its “Hot-N-Ready” model, where customers can quickly pick up pizzas without waiting for an order to be prepared. This model focuses on convenience and affordability.
Menu Offerings: The menu includes a variety of pizzas, Crazy Bread (breadsticks with garlic and parmesan), chicken wings, and more. Little Caesars is also known for its deep-dish pizzas.
Market Position: With over 5,000 locations globally, Little Caesars has a strong market presence, particularly in the U.S., known for its cost-effective and convenient offerings.
5. Marco’s Pizza
History and Background: Marco’s Pizza was founded in 1978 by Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco in Toledo, Ohio. It has grown steadily, focusing on quality and authentic Italian flavors.
Unique Selling Points: Marco’s emphasizes fresh ingredients and dough made daily. The brand prides itself on providing a more authentic Italian pizza experience compared to its competitors.
Menu Offerings: The menu features a variety of pizzas, subs, salads, and CheezyBread. Marco’s also offers specialty pizzas with unique toppings and flavor combinations.
Market Position: Marco’s has over 1,000 locations in the U.S. and continues to expand. It is recognized for its commitment to quality and fresh ingredients.
6. Papa Murphy’s
History and Background: Papa Murphy’s was founded in 1995 as a merger between two local take-and-bake pizza companies: Papa Aldo’s Pizza and Murphy’s Pizza. The brand is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.
Unique Selling Points: Papa Murphy’s is unique in that it offers take-and-bake pizzas. Customers can customize their pizzas, take them home, and bake them in their own ovens. This model emphasizes freshness and customization.
Menu Offerings: The menu includes a variety of pizzas, from classic favorites to gourmet options. Papa Murphy’s also offers salads, sides, and desserts that can be baked at home.
Market Position: With over 1,300 locations, Papa Murphy’s is the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. It has carved out a niche in the take-and-bake segment of the market.
7. California Pizza Kitchen (CPK)
History and Background: Founded in 1985 by attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax in Beverly Hills, California, CPK is known for its innovative and non-traditional pizzas.
Unique Selling Points: CPK introduced the concept of California-style pizza, which features unique toppings and flavor combinations. The brand is also known for its casual dining experience and diverse menu.
Menu Offerings: In addition to its creative pizzas, CPK offers pastas, salads, soups, sandwiches, and desserts. Popular pizzas include the BBQ Chicken Pizza and the Thai Chicken Pizza.
Market Position: With over 250 locations worldwide, CPK is a smaller player compared to giants like Domino’s and Pizza Hut. However, it is well-regarded for its innovation and quality.
8. Blaze Pizza
History and Background: Blaze Pizza was founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel, the creators of Wetzel’s Pretzels. The first location opened in Pasadena, California.
Unique Selling Points: Blaze Pizza is known for its fast-casual model, where customers can build their own pizzas with a wide range of toppings. The pizzas are cooked in a high-temperature oven and ready in just a few minutes.
Menu Offerings: The menu allows for fully customizable pizzas with various crust options, including gluten-free. Blaze also offers signature pizzas, salads, and desserts.
Market Position: Blaze has rapidly expanded to over 300 locations, capitalizing on the fast-casual dining trend. It is particularly popular among younger consumers looking for quick, customizable meals.
9. Jet’s Pizza
History and Background: Jet’s Pizza was founded in 1978 by brothers Eugene and John Jetts in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The chain has grown steadily, particularly in the Midwest.
Unique Selling Points: Jet’s is known for its Detroit-style pizza, characterized by a thick, rectangular crust with a crispy, caramelized edge. The chain also emphasizes high-quality ingredients.
Menu Offerings: In addition to its signature Detroit-style pizzas, Jet’s offers hand-tossed and thin-crust options. The menu includes wings, subs, salads, and breadsticks.
Market Position: With over 400 locations, Jet’s Pizza has a strong regional presence and is recognized for its unique pizza style and quality.
10. Round Table Pizza
History and Background: Founded in 1959 by Bill Larson in Menlo Park, California, Round Table Pizza has built a reputation for its premium pizzas and family-friendly atmosphere.
Unique Selling Points: Round Table emphasizes high-quality ingredients and a welcoming dining experience. The chain is known for its “Royal Feast” pizzas, loaded with a variety of toppings.
Menu Offerings: The menu includes a wide range of pizzas, from classic to specialty options. Round Table also offers appetizers, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
Market Position: With over 450 locations, primarily on the West Coast, Round Table Pizza has maintained a loyal customer base and is known for its premium offerings.
Conclusion
The pizza franchise landscape in the U.S. is diverse, with each brand carving out its niche based on unique selling points, menu offerings, and market strategies. From giants like Domino’s and Pizza Hut to innovative newcomers like Blaze Pizza, these franchises continue to evolve and adapt to changing consumer preferences. Whether it’s the convenience of delivery, the appeal of dine-in experiences, or the customization of fast-casual models, there’s a pizza franchise to suit every taste and lifestyle.
