This article was inspired by content originally published on Delish by Megan Schaltegger, available via Yahoo Lifestyle Delish. This article also contains affiliate links, and Pizza Magazine may earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
The latest Delish taste test tackled a wild field: Domino’s, Pizza Hut, Papa John’s, Little Caesars, Sbarro, and Jet’s. Staffers sampled both cheese and pepperoni, then judged crust, sauce, flavor, and presentation—and crowned Papa John’s the winner. Why did it win? Let’s break it down for a trio of eager audiences: home pizza lovers, ingredients suppliers, and pizzeria operators.
What Pizza Enthusiasts Should Know: Taste Test Takeaways for Home-Made Magic
- Papa John’s captivated tasters with its fresh, clean presentation, and the little luxuries—like garlicky dipping sauce and pepperoncinis included by default—gave it that delivery-on-your-doorstep cozy feeling. One taster praised its simplicity: “very cheesy, good flavor”—delicious, honest pizza. Delish
- Domino’s was the runner-up, with fans raving about its flavorful crust, fresh-tasting cheese, and perfectly balanced sauce—not too doughy, not too crisp. “God’s gift,” claimed one evangelist of their thin crust. Delish
- Pizza Hut charmed with its focaccia-like crust: doughy, fluffy, and a bit sweet. It’s that touch of indulgence you only sometimes crave—but oh, when you do, it hits. Delish
- Nostalgia powered the Sbarro slices, with their sweet sauce and crisp edge making them comfortingly nostalgic, if a bit greasy. Little Caesars offered a crunch all its own—cheap, fast, and satisfying on a budget. Jet’s (thin-crust NY style) landed mid-pack with mixed feedback. Delish
Pro Tip from the Pizzaiolo: An insider voice
I chatted with veteran pizza craftsman and operator, Luca DiMarco, He says: “A pizza that wins hearts—chain or local—balances three pillars: dough, cheese, sauce. It should feel fresh, even when delivered. Papa John’s nails freshness. Domino’s nails balance. Pizza Hut nails indulgence.” Use that as your north star when experimenting at home.
For your kitchen:
- Seeking crisp, authentic heat at home? Try a high-quality pizza stone for that golden crust edge.
- Elevate your DIY game with an easy-to-follow pizza dough recipe and a pizza making tools kit—think peel, cutter, and dough scraper.
Sneak in a little pizza history: Including pepperoncinis and garlic butter dipping sauce was a Papa John’s innovation from the ’80s. That simple add-on became a signature touch—because the little things can stand out, even in chain pizza.
What Pizza Suppliers Can Learn: Trends & Ingredients That Slice Differently
That Delish test underscores two major trends:
- Freshness sells: Whether it’s the zing of garlicky sauce or the crisp snap of a fresh crust, creating that sense of ‘just baked’ is key. Suppliers should lean into freshness-forward offerings—prefab garlic-infused doughs, high-snap mozzarella blends, stable pepperoncini in jars.
- Balanced flavor complexity: Too sweet sauce is a critic’s no-no; too bland, and it slips into forgettable. Domino’s, with its balanced, herby, garlicky crust and fresh-tasting cheese, hit a sweet spot. Suppliers can capitalize by promoting artisanal pizza ingredients, especially savory-sweet blends like herb-infused oils, garlic butter, and balanced tomato bases.
- Want to help shops stock the essentials? Maybe showcase a bulk pizza ingredients kit that includes garlic-flavored dough enhancers, herbed oils, and cleaner, fresher mozzarella.
- Industry trend: pizzerias are leaning into sustainable pizza sourcing—like local flour and responsibly farmed tomatoes—to tell a story, not just sell a slice. If you supply that, make it part of the narrative.
Pizza Shop Owners: Actionable Takeaways for Competitive Edge
- Stand out with freebies: Papa John’s includes pepperoncinis and sauce by default. That gives customers an unexpected delight—and differentiates it. Tactic: include a branded dipping sauce or a flavored packet; small margin-friendly add-on, big perceived value.
- Master your crust identity: Pizza Hut leans doughy; Domino’s leans crunchy; Papa John’s is simple and fresh. Define yours—and lean into it. If you’re going for artisanal, talk about hand-tossed, locally-sourced dough or wood-fired ovens.
- Avoid over-sweetening your sauce: That overly sugary tomato flavor sank several chains in these taste tests. Balance acidity, herbs, and sweetness. Let the dough and cheese shine.
- Make nostalgia count: Sbarro’s appeal was its old-school familiarity—mall pizza memories going strong. A local shop can deploy nostalgia too, like using retro signage, vintage-slice specials, or launching a ‘throwback pie.’ It’s more than food—it’s memory.
- Invest in reliability: Domino’s and Papa John’s dominate partly because they deliver consistency. For independent shops: investing in a solid pizza POS system and pizza delivery software ensures every pie arrives as intended. (affiliate: Integrated Pizza POS System – AFFILIATE_LINK_PLACEHOLDER)
- Operational efficiency pays: Keep crust edges warm, sauces pre-portioned, toppings consistently layered. Teach staff the ‘three pillars’ criteria: dough, cheese, sauce, and let that guide quality control.
Final Slice & Broader Trends
This taste test is more than rankings. It reveals how simplicity, freshness, and small touches elevate chain pizza, and how independent operators and suppliers can borrow those secrets with soul.
In a world leaning toward plant-based pies, automation in kitchens, and a hunger for local sourcing, these foundational lessons still hold. Experience is paramount—whether you’re biting into a slice at home or running the ovens behind the counter.
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