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The pizza industry is a highly dynamic space, constantly evolving and adapting with ever-changing trends, customer demands, and technological advancement. Over the past several years, the sector has grown to become one of the most popular food products in the United States, with around $36 billion in revenue in 2018. This success is partially due to the prevalence of pizzerias and delivery services. It is essential for restaurant owners, technology providers, and other stakeholders in the foodservice market to be aware of the constantly changing trends within the pizza industry.
By leveraging sophisticated, AI-enabled data research platforms, such as Brizo, industry insiders gain more access to sophisticated insights derived from menu data, consumer trends, and restaurant technology-related development. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the pizza industry trends, from menu items and price inflation to delivery system and technological changes taking place in the market.
Menu Items
Menu items are one of the main drivers of the pizza industry. As consumers continue to request different options for their pizzas, restaurateurs have to answer to these requests. Over the years, styles like “Hawaiian pizza” and “Chicago-style pizza” have become worldwide renowned, including different toppings like pineapple, artichoke hearts, and unique sauces. Customers continue to expect more customized versions of the classic pizza recipe, so pizza restaurants have to innovate continuously to keep up with this ever-growing demand.
In addition to the different varieties, toppings have also evolved, including vegetarian options, healthier ingredients such as cauliflower crusts, and creative items like ghost pepper chicken and bacon-covered jalapenos. Plant-based proteins, alternative cheeses, and molecular-level toppings are also making their way onto menus, joining the traditional pepperoni and sausage. Ethnic-spiced toppings, such as gyros and shawarma, have also become quite popular.
Price Inflation
The costs associated with running a pizzeria are always increasing, particularly when looking at the cost of ingredients. The presence of new menu items means higher costs, not just for the ingredients of the menu items themselves but also for the labor involved in producing them. This has caused price inflation across the pizza industry.
In general, prices for pizza have been steadily increasing since 2019, particularly in the wake of pandemic business disruptions. Along with cost of labor increasing, restaurants also need to allocate more funds to safety precautions required to ensure visitors’ health. As a result, pizzerias are expecting to raise prices to cover the extra costs.
Delivery Systems
Delivery has become a major aspect of the industry, particularly with the rise of delivery services such as DoorDash and GrubHub. These services allow customers to order food online and receive it at their doorsteps, making delivery a service which further increases the appeal of the pizza industry.
Because of this, technology providers are further developing their delivery services in order to meet the needs of consumers. For example, some providers are creating real-time tracking so customers can know exactly where their order is located while a restaurant is still preparing it. This increases customer satisfaction, and further drives the success of the business.
Technology
Technology is a crucial element when it comes to the success of a pizza business. Multiple technology platforms are now available that provide restaurants with the ability to manage operations more efficiently. These include point-of-sale systems, customer relationship management (CRM) software, inventory management tools, and user-friendly websites. With the help of these technologies, restaurants can manage and monitor customer orders, offers, promotions, and discounts—making their business more efficient while reducing costs.
Moreover, the development of mobile apps has become a great opportunity for pizza restaurants to reach more customers. Digital ordering has become a popular marketing strategy for pizzerias, allowing customers to order online with their smartphones and tablets. This has helped businesses expand their customer base by reaching more people who are familiar with digital ordering.
Concluding concepts
The pizza industry is a highly complex space, with many different elements that are constantly evolving. From menu items and price inflation to delivery systems and technology, there are numerous trends that are essential for restaurant owners and technology providers to be aware of. In order to maintain profitability, they must keep up with these developments. With the help of AI-enabled market insights platforms such as Brizo, restaurant owners can access unique menu data and use that data to make informed decisions in order to stay ahead of the competition.
