During the course of the Covid pandemic, one of the shining lights in the restaurant industry, especially during those first few months, was the pizza segment. While pizza has always been profitable, it became even more popular during the pandemic.
So what are some of the important facts in regard to the popularity and profitability of pizza? Let's take a closer look.
Pizza Represents More than Just Food
Even though pizza is popular all over the world, the history of pizza can be traced back to Naples, Italy. Pizza has been produced there for hundreds of years, and as pizza expanded, every country has placed its own unique twist on pizza.
There are billions of pizzas sold yearly, and the average person in the United States consumes dozens of slices. There are several reasons why pizzas have become so popular, and one of the biggest reasons is they bring people together. When someone eats pizza, they inevitably have to share it with other people, so there is more interaction that takes place while eating pizza versus many other food types. In addition, there are a lot of creative twists that can be put on pizzas, and this provides an outlet for expression. Because countless toppings go well with pizza, just about everyone enjoys their unique topping mixture.
Pizza = Profits
Today, it is clear that pizza has become one of the most popular and profitable foodservice items. For example, one of the main c-stores in the local area, Casey's, has had major success with its pizza program. The pizza lineup has expanded significantly since they first introduced it, and it now accounts for approximately 25% of the chain’s total food and beverage revenue.
Even restaurants that are not used to serving pizza can find success with it, and grab-and-go stores have found that prepared pizzas can be a way to increase profit margins and drive revenue during a difficult time in the industry. As a result, restaurants in food stores need to identify the best possible places for them to get the ingredients they need to serve delicious pizzas.
Anyway You Slice it, Heartland is your Pizza Resource
The recent changes in the foodservice world have forced restaurants to adapt and adjust. Prices have gone up, employees are hard to find, and some restaurants are having a hard time maintaining their equipment. No matter the challenges, though, the team at Heartland can help operators overcome these roadblocks by making smart equipment purchasing decisions.
The CTX Oven by Middleby Marshall takes advantage of innovative conveyor cooking technology that allows restaurants to do less with more. The major benefits of this oven are that it can shorten cooking times and reduce the need for labor while still providing the quality pizza that patrons expect.
With our helpful new pizza guide, restaurants can take advantage of pizza's opportunities for increased profitability while placing restaurants of all backgrounds in a position to compete in the current landscape.