The #1 Pizza Chain In The U.S. Plus The Rest Of The Top 15 (According To Data)

Pizza has practically become America’s national food at this point, with chains all over the country battling for our dough (pun intended!).
As a certified pizza enthusiast who once ate nothing but pizza for an entire month in college, I’ve definitely had my fair share of chain restaurant pies. The competition is fierce, with each brand claiming to have the best crust, sauce, or toppings.
But which pizza chains are actually dominating the American landscape? Let’s take a closer look, exploring sales data, customer satisfaction, and overall popularity to uncover the true leaders in the pizza game.
1. Domino’s Takes the Crown

Domino’s reigns supreme as America’s pizza king, serving up more pies than any competitor nationwide. Their delivery tracking system revolutionized how we order pizza – I still remember the thrill of watching that little car icon move across my screen during finals week!
The chain’s remarkable turnaround story began in 2009 when they completely overhauled their recipe after facing criticism. Bold move, but it paid off magnificently. Their market dominance comes from a perfect storm of reasonable prices, consistent quality, and tech innovation.
With over 6,500 U.S. locations, most Americans are never more than 20 minutes from a Domino’s pizza. Their app remains one of the food industry’s most downloaded and highest-rated ordering platforms.
2. Pizza Hut’s Nostalgic Appeal

Remember those red plastic cups and the iconic red roofs? Pizza Hut holds a special place in America’s heart as the original pizza dining experience. My family celebrated every Little League victory at our local Hut, where the personal pan pizzas felt like trophies themselves.
Founded in 1958 by the Carney brothers, Pizza Hut pioneered the sit-down pizza restaurant concept before most Americans had even tasted pizza. Their stuffed crust innovation in 1995 changed the pizza game forever – suddenly the part most people left behind became the highlight!
While they’ve shifted toward delivery and carryout in recent years, Pizza Hut maintains strong sales through nostalgic marketing and menu innovations that keep bringing customers back for “that Pizza Hut taste.”
3. Papa John’s Quality Focus

Papa John’s built their empire on one simple promise: better ingredients make better pizza. I’ve always appreciated how their sauce has that distinctive sweetness you can’t find anywhere else. Their garlic sauce cups have practically achieved cult status among pizza lovers nationwide!
Founded in 1984 in a converted broom closet, Papa John’s rapid expansion tells the story of America’s love affair with delivery pizza. The chain maintains a sweet spot between mass-market appeal and quality ingredients, helping them secure the number three position.
Their focus on fresh (never frozen) dough and premium toppings creates a product that many consider a step above typical delivery pizza. The brand continues to innovate with specialty crusts and unique topping combinations while maintaining their core offerings.
4. Little Caesars’ Hot-N-Ready Revolution

“Pizza! Pizza!” These two words changed fast food forever when Little Caesars introduced their Hot-N-Ready concept. As a broke college student, the $5 large pizza was practically my food group – grab and go without even calling ahead!
Founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch in 1959, Little Caesars created a niche with affordable, ready-made pizzas that eliminated delivery fees and wait times. Their business model focuses on volume and efficiency, allowing them to keep prices remarkably low while maintaining profitability.
The chain’s ExtraMostBestest pizza and Crazy Bread sides have developed passionate followings. Little Caesars thrives by focusing on value-conscious customers who appreciate convenience without sacrificing that fresh-from-the-oven quality that made them famous.
5. California Pizza Kitchen’s Gourmet Twist

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) brought restaurant-quality pizza to the mall food court, and I’ll never forget my first BBQ chicken pizza experience there – it completely changed my understanding of what toppings belonged on pizza! Their creative combinations reflect California’s diverse culinary influences.
Founded in 1985 by attorneys Rick Rosenfield and Larry Flax, CPK pioneered gourmet pizza in a casual dining setting. The chain specializes in innovative, non-traditional pizzas like Thai Chicken and Jamaican Jerk Chicken that push the boundaries of pizza conventions.
Beyond pizza, their expanded menu features pastas, salads, and appetizers that attract a broader audience. CPK maintains its position by appealing to customers seeking more sophisticated flavors than typical delivery chains offer, while still providing a relaxed dining experience.
6. MOD Pizza’s Customization Champion

Walking into MOD Pizza feels like entering a pizza playground where the rules don’t apply. The first time I visited, I went absolutely wild with toppings – artichokes, roasted garlic, and spicy chicken all on one pizza with no judgment from the staff!
Founded in 2008 by Scott and Ally Svenson, MOD pioneered the “fast-casual” pizza concept where customers create personalized pizzas assembled in front of them and cooked in minutes. Their one-price-regardless-of-toppings model revolutionized the industry and sparked numerous imitators.
MOD also stands out for their social impact initiatives and focus on creating positive workplace culture. Their rapid growth (over 500 locations in just over a decade) demonstrates the strong appeal of customization and transparency in food preparation to today’s consumers.
7. Blaze Pizza’s Celebrity-Backed Rise

Blaze Pizza burst onto the scene with LeBron James as an early investor, bringing star power to the fast-casual pizza segment. My first Blaze experience felt like watching a culinary performance – flames licking the edges of my pizza as it cooked in just 180 seconds!
Founded in 2011 by Elise and Rick Wetzel (of Wetzel’s Pretzels fame), Blaze quickly became one of the fastest-growing restaurant chains in history. Their assembly-line format allows customers to create personalized 11-inch pizzas cooked in an open-flame oven right before their eyes.
Blaze distinguishes itself with artisanal ingredients, house-made doughs, and environmentally friendly packaging. Their modern, minimalist restaurant design appeals to younger demographics, while their rapid-fire cooking process satisfies our collective impatience for great food, fast.
8. Marco’s Pizza’s Authentic Italian Roots

Marco’s Pizza brings a taste of Italy to American strip malls with recipes dating back to founder Pasquale “Pat” Giammarco’s childhood in Italy. I’ll never forget ordering Marco’s for a family gathering – my Italian grandmother actually complimented the sauce, which is practically a miracle!
Founded in 1978, Marco’s distinguishes itself with fresh dough made daily, a proprietary cheese blend, and a secret sauce recipe. Their commitment to authentic Italian ingredients creates a product that stands apart from more Americanized pizza chains.
As one of the fastest-growing pizza franchises in America, Marco’s expansion showcases the enduring appeal of traditional pizza done right. Their menu balances classic offerings with modern innovations like their popular Pepperoni Magnifico, featuring both regular and old-world pepperoni.
9. Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza and Play Combo

Chuck E. Cheese transformed birthday parties forever by combining pizza with arcade games and that slightly terrifying animatronic mouse band. My seventh birthday there remains legendary in family lore – I won the jackpot on the ticket machine and became a temporary playground celebrity!
Founded in 1977 by Atari founder Nolan Bushnell, Chuck E. Cheese created the “eatertainment” concept that many have since copied. Their business model brilliantly combines food service with family entertainment, creating an experience that goes far beyond just eating pizza.
While not typically celebrated for culinary excellence, their pizza serves its purpose as fuel for fun. Recent menu upgrades and modernized locations have helped maintain relevance with today’s families, ensuring new generations continue to beg their parents for Chuck E. Cheese birthdays.
10. Sbarro’s Mall Food Court Staple

The giant, foldable slices at Sbarro defined shopping mall dining for generations of Americans. I practically lived on their cheese slices during my teenage mall-rat phase – nothing beat watching those massive New York-style pizzas being displayed under the heat lamps.
Founded in 1956 by Italian immigrants Gennaro and Carmela Sbarro, the chain began as a salumeria in Brooklyn before expanding into the mall-based pizza concept we know today. Their open-kitchen concept allows customers to see fresh pizzas being made throughout the day.
Despite mall traffic declining in recent years, Sbarro maintains relevance through airport, highway, and college campus locations. Their XL NY slices remain iconic, offering a quick, portable meal that satisfies both hunger and nostalgia for millions of Americans who grew up with shopping mall food courts.
11. Jet’s Pizza’s Detroit-Style Dominance

Jet’s Pizza introduced millions of Americans to Detroit-style pizza with its distinctive square shape and caramelized cheese edges. My first bite of their 8-corner pizza was a revelation – those crispy corners with cheese that caramelizes against the pan should be considered a national treasure!
Founded in 1978 by brothers Eugene and John Jetts, this Michigan-based chain has expanded to over 380 locations while maintaining their commitment to quality ingredients. Their dough is made fresh daily at each location, creating that perfect balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
Beyond their signature Detroit-style pizzas, Jet’s offers round, thin-crust, and New York-style options. Their Turbo Crust – brushed with garlic and Romano cheese – has developed a cult following, demonstrating how regional pizza styles can successfully expand beyond their original territories.
12. Donatos Pizza’s Edge-to-Edge Toppings

Donatos Pizza refuses to leave naked crust on the table with their famous edge-to-edge toppings philosophy. First time I ordered their pepperoni pizza, I was shocked – there must have been over 100 pepperoni slices covering every millimeter of that pizza!
Founded in 1963 by Jim Grote, who purchased an existing pizza shop for $1,300, Donatos built their reputation on generous toppings and thin crust cut into square pieces (party-cut style). Their commitment to quality ingredients and consistency has earned them a dedicated following, particularly in the Midwest.
Briefly owned by McDonald’s in the early 2000s before being bought back by the Grote family, Donatos maintains its distinctive identity through signature items like their Edge to Edge Pepperoni pizza with over 100 pieces of pepperoni on each large pizza.
13. 7-Eleven’s Surprising Pizza Powerhouse

7-Eleven quietly became a pizza powerhouse while we weren’t looking! I discovered their pizza during a late-night study session, and was genuinely shocked at how good a convenience store pizza could be – especially at 2 AM when everything tastes better.
The convenience store giant sells over 10 million pizzas annually, making them one of America’s largest pizza retailers. Their strategy focuses on convenience and value, offering hot pizza 24/7 in many locations when traditional pizza restaurants are closed.
Recent quality improvements and expanded topping options have elevated their offerings beyond typical convenience store fare. The ability to grab a hot slice while filling your gas tank or picking up other essentials creates a convenience factor that traditional pizza chains simply can’t match, helping 7-Eleven capture the impulse pizza purchase market.
14. Giordano’s Deep Dish Decadence

Giordano’s takes pizza to extraordinary heights with their famous stuffed deep dish pizza that’s practically a casserole. My first Chicago trip included a mandatory Giordano’s visit – I still remember the waiter warning us about the 45-minute cooking time and the pizza arriving like a magnificent, cheese-filled fortress!
Founded in 1974 by Italian immigrants Efren and Joseph Boglio, Giordano’s brought their mother’s famous Easter pie recipe to Chicago, adapting it into what became Chicago’s famous stuffed pizza. Their pizzas feature a bottom crust, massive amounts of cheese and toppings, and a second layer of dough topped with sauce.
Each pizza weighs several pounds and requires special handling techniques and extended baking times. Despite primarily being a Chicago institution, Giordano’s has expanded to multiple states while maintaining their commitment to authentic Chicago-style pizza.
15. LaRosa’s Pizzeria’s Regional Loyalty

LaRosa’s Pizzeria might not be nationally famous, but in Cincinnati and surrounding areas, it’s practically a religion. Growing up in Ohio, I learned that every out-of-town visitor required a LaRosa’s introduction – their sweet tomato sauce creates pizza that’s distinctively “Cincinnati-style.”
Founded in 1954 by Buddy LaRosa, this family-owned chain has expanded to over 65 locations while maintaining deep community connections. Their signature sweet tomato sauce divides pizza enthusiasts but creates fierce loyalty among fans who grew up with the distinctive flavor.
Beyond pizza, their pasta dishes and famous “Buddy Cards” fundraising program have made them community fixtures. LaRosa’s demonstrates how regional pizza chains can thrive by embracing local flavors and building strong community relationships, even without expanding nationwide.
16. Grimaldi’s Pizzeria’s Coal-Fired Tradition

Grimaldi’s coal-fired ovens create a pizza experience that’s impossible to replicate at home. Waiting in line at their Brooklyn location under the bridge remains a culinary pilgrimage I’ll never forget – watching those massive ovens hit 1,000 degrees while smelling the slightly charred perfection of their thin crust!
Founded under the Brooklyn Bridge, Grimaldi’s built their reputation on coal-fired brick ovens that create a distinctive charred crust with perfect chewiness. Their commitment to traditional methods includes making fresh mozzarella daily and using a secret dough recipe and technique.
While they’ve expanded beyond New York to multiple states, each location maintains the coal-fired ovens and water filtration systems that attempt to replicate Brooklyn water. Grimaldi’s success demonstrates the growing consumer interest in authentic, artisanal pizza even within the chain restaurant category.