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The quest for the perfect pizza is a journey we’re all on, and it’s paved with cheesy goodness and occasional regret. From late-night cravings to weekend gatherings, the best pizza chains are our trusty sidekicks, always ready to deliver (pun intended). Whether you’re a fan of classic pepperoni or adventurous enough to try pineapple, knowing which pizza chain reigns supreme can save you from many doughy disappointments. Now that we’re all hungry, let’s get to that list of the five best pizza chains, according to the pie pros. As always, we want to hear from you. Comment below to let us know which pizza chain most often makes its way onto your table!
StudyFinds is a research-driven platform that analyzes and synthesizes expert recommendations from trusted sources. Rather than writing reviews ourselves, we meticulously compile consensus findings from leading industry experts and established publications to save consumers valuable research time. Each article represents hours of analysis across multiple authoritative sources to identify the most consistently recommended choices.
1. Domino’s
A chain that years ago wasn’t known for great pizza has undergone drastic changes in recent years. They’ve revamped their locations and menu offerings to keep pace, and often outdo competition. Domino’s now tops the list of many reviews when it comes to best pizza chains.
Far & Wide notes: “Is this the best pizza you’ll ever taste? Of course not. This is fast food we’re talking about. But this is our go-to when we want something that goes well with a movie night without burning holes in our pockets. Besides, Domino’s Philly cheesesteak pizza is one of the best pizzas in the fast-food world.”
“Domino’s is probably the brand that surprised me the most during this ranking. The quality here is higher than you’d think a national pizza chain would have — the dough is yeasty and crispy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside, with an airy crust and a liberal dusting of cornmeal that helps create a really great and sandy texture to this pizza,” writes UPROXX. Hard not to crave pizza after reading that.
2. California Pizza Kitchen
What started in Beverly Hills as one restaurant in 1985 has now spread globally. Though this brand struggled in 2020, even filing bankruptcy, they seem to be back on track and plan to add new franchise locations.
Spoon University writes: “This pizza chain restaurant takes the gold with a slightly more upscale dining experience to go with delicious, innovative flavors. California Pizza Kitchen invented the barbecue pizza in 1985, but they didn’t stop there. Now they offer a wide range of pizzas with fresh, California-inspired ingredients alongside pastas, power bowls, and amazing salads. The wood fired oven takes these pizzas to a level beyond chain pizza.”
“Since pizza originates from Italy, one might think pizza made with Italian ingredients is superior to those without Italian ingredients or baking style. California Pizza Kitchen is one of the few pizza chains that successfully discredits this assumption. From their operating style, you’d notice a strong zeal to discover more pizza mixes that can taste even better than their Italian counterparts,” writes Oak and Rowan.
3. Pizza Hut
With the number of locations this pizza chain has, it would be hard for anyone to go through life without bumping into one. It’s so well-known that it’s even mentioned in an Eric Church song.
“Pizza Hut is one of the most iconic pizza joints in America, and is a firm favorite with many. While pizza is the main food they serve, they have a good selection of wings and sides too. Pizza Hut have been established since 1958, and have over 7,000 restaurants in America,” writes Restaurant Clicks.
“’Nobody out-pizzas the Hut,’ the brand boldly proclaims, and against the other major national franchises, this ended up being pretty close to totally true,” writes Eat This, Not That!.
And for a couple of fun facts about the chain, from the Pizza Hut blog: “(1994) Pizza Hut becomes the first national chain to offer pizza delivery ordering on the internet; and (2001) Pizza Hut becomes the first company to deliver to space with a pizza delivery to the International Space Station.”
4. Mellow Mushroom
The name may not make you think of pizza, but this chain popped up as one of the best across many lists we reviewed. According to Wikipedia, there are 170 locations in the U.S. with the first opening in 1974.
“Quite a few restaurants have some very unique names, and Mellow Mushroom is certainly no different. This place began in Atlanta, Georgia, and it’s since become a very popular place for men and women to take their families when they want to enjoy a nice pizza out of the house,” writes The Recipe.
And according to Mashed, this pie isn’t just for college kids looking for a late-night slice: “If you went to college in the southeast, you no doubt had more than your share of pizzas from Mellow Mushroom, which was considered “the good stuff” compared to your late-night $5 pies. But Mellow Mushroom still holds up even when you’re not in school. The chain’s pizzas come with a relatively sweet and wheat-forward crust that’s dotted with parmesan cheese and a light coat of olive oil.”
5. Papa John’s
You’ve likely seen Papa John’s commercials. They were the official pizza sponsor of the NFL for years. And though that deal is now dead, the chain is still very much alive with over 5,000 locations worldwide.
Papa John’s touts “Better Ingredients” as part of their slogan, and they seem to back it up as Shopfood.com notes: “Papa John’s serves pizza that is free of MSG, BHA, BHT, cellulose, and partially hydrogenated oils.”
Restaurant Clicks ranks this chain number one on their list of best pizza chains “because not only is this takeaway pizza delicious, but it is great value for the money too. Their sauces are delicious, and they also sell things such as wings and sandwiches.”
And if you’ve ever wondered why there’s a pepperoncino in every pizza box, we found out from Insider: “The reason behind this goes back to owner John Schnatter’s days as a dishwasher at his father’s pub where the free pepperoncini was ‘his thing.’”
Sources used to create this list
- Restaurant Clicks
- Spoon University
- Mashed
- Far & Wide
- Eat This, Not That!
- UPROXX
- Oak and Rowan
- The Recipe
- Shopfood.com
- Tasting Table
- The Spruce Eats
- Pizza Hut
- Wikipedia
- Insider
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
