A Piece Of The (Pizza) Pie is Yours For The Taking.

Pizza. It’s hard to imagine a food that’s more beloved by more people. Whether it’s pizza night for the family, a quick (and healthier than most imagine) lunch or a big gameday celebration, there’s a reason this treasured food is a staple for all kinds of occasions and taste preferences.

In fact, pizza is more piping hot than ever. It’s found on a whopping 32% of entrée menus, has high trendability (meaning high innovation potential) and always evolving regional variations mean new experiences around every corner.

Today’s trends show that pizza isn’t going anywhere—it’s just evolving. Some varieties are already well-known and well-loved for decades: American classics (think: New York-style, pan and deep dish with meat toppings), stuffed crusts (found in both pizza chains and frozen aisles) and dessert pizzas that bank on nostalgia to boost sales.

?Along the way, newer varieties have found their place in the hearts of the pizza passionate, establishing themselves as near staples: mash-up styles like Buffalo chicken and BBQ chicken pies; breakfast pizzas that made PM entrees an AM option; and artisanal pies that use wood fired ovens, house-made doughs and fresh ingredients have elevated the classics.

?Mindful eating trends have served up new options, like crusts in gluten-free, keto and cauliflower formats and variations like vegan cheese, making it possible for even those with special dietary needs to pull up a seat to the table.

?From there, regional styles have taken hold, from regional U.S. tastes like Detroit or Chicago styles to global varieties that had gone untasted by most for too long.

?Finally, the pizza future is arriving in the form of plant-forward pies, with veggie toppings gaining new momentum (and new, hungry fans), as well as Italian street food styles, served in smaller quantities and on a sturdier, focaccia-like crust to take the meal on the move.

It can seem overwhelming to meet the ever-changing appetites for pizza. But the right solutions in the kitchen can make building a menu and innovating to put your own twist on the trends possible.

?If you have a craving to make the most of pizza’s trends, we can make it simple with a full portfolio of crust solutions—from flatbreads and doughs to parbaked crusts and plant-based offerings—that make the most delicious foundation for trends and classics alike. Our Rich’s Academy is even hosting classes with our Culinary Experts to take you through the different styles that use our components as the delicious base for endless possibilities. To learn more, visit our website! Happy (pizza) eating!

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