Pizza Occasions Grow with Key Sales Drivers Including Innovation, Convenience and Versatility, Finds Technomic

CHICAGO, April 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pizza consumption continues to rise. More than four in 10 (41 percent of) consumers polled say they're now eating pizza once a week, compared to 26 percent just two years ago. Pizza consumption has increased over the past two years as leading players revamp menus to include more innovative specialty pizzas, gourmet ingredients and items beyond pizza that help operators drive traffic. As increased consumer confidence leads some to trade up within the pizza category, others still feeling the pinch are attracted to the special offers and coupons that chains are rolling out as well as generally less expensive, yet high quality, take-and-bake and frozen pizza offerings.

"Consumers increasingly view pizza as the 'go-to' food when they don't feel like cooking," says Technomic Executive Vice President Darren Tristano."Operators can emphasize convenience in their marketing message, positioning pizza as an easy, convenient and affordable meal solution that will appeal to an entire group or family. It's a message that resonates with many customers."

To help operators and others aligned with the foodservice industry more effectively identify opportunities for growth and gain a competitive advantage, Technomic has developed the Pizza Consumer Trend Report.

Interesting findings include:

• Combo-meat varieties and calzone-style stuffed pizzas stand out as growth areas at LSRs. At FSRs, there has been slight growth in the number of veggie/garden and combo-meat pizzas.
• Chicken's adaptability contributes to its widespread use as the top listed protein topping in the full-service segment and third most-frequently listed protein in limited-service, largely due to barbeque and Buffalo chicken varieties.
• The latest menu trends call for authenticity, from Neapolitan, Sicilian and other regional Italian interpretations, to depth-of-flavor preparations, such as hearth-baked, wood-fired, coal and brick-oven cooking.
• 37 percent of respondents order pizza from non-pizza limited-service and fast-casual restaurant locations once a month, signaling room for growth for these concepts and a potential threat for LSR pizza chains.
• 49 percent of consumers are purchasing pizza from a grocery store once a month, making it the second leading foodservice source for pizza, surpassed only by LSR pizza restaurants (71 percent).
• All foodservice pizza purchases have increased over the past two years, but carryout and dine-in pizza occasions have increased the most; 68 percent of consumers now order carryout pizza once a month or more, followed by 45 percent who say they order pizza for dine-in.

Technomic's Pizza Consumer Trend Report assists foodservice executives in better understanding consumer behavior, preferences and attitudes regarding pizza. The Menu Insights section utilizes Technomic's MenuMonitor online database to provide an in-depth look at how leading and emerging chain operators menu and position pizza. This section also explores menu trends at leading limited-service pizza chains. The Consumer and Retail Insights sections examine foodservice and frozen retail pizza consumption, purchasing decisions, attitudes and preferences based on survey results from 1,500 consumers. Additionally, data from Technomic's 2008 and 2010 Pizza Consumer Trend Report is discussed throughout the report to provide a comparison benchmark for many menu and consumer trends. 

To purchase or learn more about this report please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts

Press Inquiries: Darren Tristano, 312-506-3850, or [email protected] 
Purchasing Details: Patrick Noone, 312-506-3852, or [email protected] 
Report Details: Kelly Weikel, 312-506-3830, or [email protected] 

About Technomic

Technomic provides clients with the facts, insights and consulting support they need to enhance their business strategies, decisions and results. Its services include numerous publications and digital products, as well as proprietary studies and ongoing research on all aspects of the food industry.

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SOURCE Technomic