Pizza Hut just dropped its second annual Pizza Trends Report, a deep dive into America’s pizza proclivities. After surveying 5,000 adults across the country, the results are in, and all pizza obsessions have been revealed. Here’s the lowdown.
Americans are keeping pizza night alive and well, indulging an average of three times per month. Pizza lovers in North Dakota are going above and beyond with a solid 3.5 pizza sessions monthly. On the slice front, Wisconsin takes the lead, with residents polishing off an impressive 10 slices per month compared to the national average of eight. And yes, big pizzas reign supreme, with 47% of respondents opting for larges—a choice that adds up to a jaw-dropping 288 slices per person annually, enough to fill a six-person hot tub with all that cheesy goodness.
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When it comes to crust preferences, thin crust is the top choice. Stuffed crust takes a strong second, with thick crust rounding out the top three. Dipping sauces are stirring up just as much passion. Ranch is still number one, but garlic sauce has a solid fan base and some pizza lovers are heating things up with hot sauce—especially in places like New York, where it’s practically a requirement.
As for toppings, pepperoni remains the undisputed king across most states, though sausage is the fan favorite in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. On the veggie side, peppers of all kinds—sweet, roasted, spicy—are having their moment. Not every topping gets love, though. Fish, beets, blueberries, plums and kiwis made the “never ever” list, though 10% of adventurous eaters said they wouldn’t ban anything.
And then there’s pizza etiquette: nearly half of respondents say the only right way to eat a slice is tip-first, no folding allowed. Forks are a hard no for 44%, who consider it a food crime. Cold pizza, however, is a different story—57% of people are all about next-day leftovers straight from the fridge.
As for what’s next in the pizza world, the sweet-and-spicy trend is still going strong. To meet the demand, Pizza Hut is rolling out hot honey offerings nationwide starting February 1, but only for a limited time at select locations.
The U.S. has a slew of top-notch pies, not to mention pizza joints that rank among the best in the world. So whether you’re folding your slice or diving in with hot honey, there’s never been a better time to be a pizza fan.