Top 9 Best Pizza Chains in the USA

Pizza chains may not have the romance of your local neighborhood pizzeria. But they are a great way to get reliable, consistent pizza wherever you are in the country. And they usually offer good value for money too.

Here we take a look at the nine best pizza chains in the USA. We’ll find out what makes them so good. And we’ll give you all the information you need to plan your next visit.

So without further ado, let’s see what’s out there…

1. Domino’s

Domino’s is the biggest pizza chain in the US, with annual sales of over $13.5 billion. That’s a lot of pizza! With locations all over the country, you’re unlikely to be far from a Domino’s wherever you live.

It has a huge range of pizzas, with sizes, crusts and toppings to suit all tastes and appetites. There’s a good variety of sides too, with everything from chicken wings to salads, breads and sandwiches. And it all comes with no fewer than 14 different sauces and vinaigrettes.

There are lots of bundles and coupons on offer too, making it easy to feed a crowd without spending a fortune.

Like many pizza chains, however, Domino’s doesn’t have a great selection when it comes to dessert. What there is, though, is sweet and tasty. Choose between a cookie brownie, chocolate lava crunch cake and the cinnamon-flavored Cinna Stix.

Check out the website for details of locations and your local restaurant’s opening hours.

2. Pizza Hut

Next in size to Domino’s is Pizza Hut, with over $12 billion in sales every year. It was founded in 1958, and is the only chain that comes close to Domino’s in terms of market share. It has over 18,000 branches worldwide.

It has a huge range of pizzas, most of which are available in medium or large. Some also come in “personal” size, perfect for when you’re dining alone.

It’s also a great choice for any wing lovers, with perhaps the widest selection of chicken wings of any pizza chain. They’re available coated in breadcrumbs or without, bone in or out, and with a huge variety of sauces. And you can choose from a serving of 8, 16, 24 or 48 pieces, for gatherings of all sizes.

Desserts are tasty, if standard – cookies, brownies, cinnamon sticks and apple pies. There may be better places to satisfy your sweet tooth, but overall, it’s a convenient and good value choice.

3. Marco’s

There are over 800 Marco’s pizzerias in 34 states. That made it America’s seventh biggest pizza chain in terms of sales in 2019.

You’ll find a great range of pizzas here, including local specialities. You can also choose pizza bowls – all the pizza flavors, but without the crust. And all the menu options have the calorie content listed, so it’s great for anyone watching their diet.

There’s also a brilliant selection of subs, calzone, salads and sides. When it comes to dessert, there are only two options – cinnamon squares or chocolate brownies. They’re very tasty, but the choice is undeniably narrow.

Marco’s is well worth checking out if you’re catering for a crowd. There are different bundles for parties of up to 25 people. And as well as large pizzas and salads, there are catering trays of everything from chicken wings to cinnamon squares.

Parents catering for a children’s party will find this an economical choice that’s sure to go down well with kids.

4. Papa John’s

Papa John’s has grown from two guys making pizza in a broom closet in Indiana to a multi-billion dollar chain. Today there are over 3,000 branches across the United States. So what do you get if you pay a visit to one of them?

Well, the focus here is firmly on the pizza. Most are available in a choice of original or thin crust, and in sizes from small to extra-large. And whether you’re a vegetarian, pescatarian or committed carnivore, the range of toppings will give you plenty of choice.

Sides include chicken wings with a range of sauces, cheese sticks, breadsticks, and popcorn chicken. The dessert range is small but appealing, featuring brownies, cinnamon pie and cookies.

Individual opening hours vary, but generally speaking this is a good option for late night pizza. On the weekend, branches offer delivery up to anywhere between 11pm and 1 a.m.

If you’re getting carryout, the shut-off time for orders is usually earlier. Check the website for details of your local branch.

5. California Pizza Kitchen

The first California Pizza Kitchen opened in Beverly Hills in 1985. Since then, the chain has grown to more than 250 locations. And if you’re not near a pizzeria, you can still enjoy the experience at home. Their own brand pizzas can be picked up in the frozen aisle of supermarkets around the country.

But head to a restaurant, and you’ll get a great range of food that goes well beyond pizzas. Some of CPK’s best loved menu items are salads, pastas and meat and fish dishes.

There are twenty different styles of pizza, but they’re available only in a single size. Each is big enough for six good slices. And if you’re being mindful of your diet, you’ll find it helpful to see the calorie content of each slice.

If you’re in California, Arizona or Nevada, you can also make use of the chain’s mobile kitchen. This can be hired to cater for your own event, bringing fresh pizza on order to your guests.

6. Round Table Pizza

Round Table Pizza was established more than 60 years ago, and has a devoted following. It has its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and more than 400 branches around the country.

It’s famous for its pizzas, which have toppings that go right to the edge. The traditional restaurants keep the focus on the food, but more recently they’ve opened a Clubhouse brand. The strapline is “Pizza, Pub, Play” and it incorporates beer, big-screen sports and children’s entertainment too.

If you want a destination for a family evening out that’s fun and not too pricey, it’s worth checking out.

Whether you go traditional or clubhouse, you’ll find a huge range of pizzas in five different sizes. Wings and garlic parmesan twists are available as appetizers, and there’s a choice of Caesar, garden or spinach salad. Dessert, though, is more limited. You’ll get a choice of cinnamon twists – or cinnamon twists.

Outside of pizzas the choice isn’t as big as you’ll find at some other pizza chains. But everything is tasty and well presented. And there are three different catering packages, each serving between 10 and 12 people.

7. Papa Murphy’s

If you want the freshest possible pizza with the minimum possible hassle, Papa Murphy’s could be the answer. Their pizzas are prepared from scratch to order, then delivered to your door for baking in your own oven.

The result is a fresh, tasty pizza that’s piping hot straight. What’s not to love?

There are four different ranges of pizza: signature, gourmet delite, stuffed (two layers of crust) and crustless. And because everything is made from scratch to order, you can customize it as you wish. Choose from a thin crust, original, pan or stuffed. And there’s even a gluten free option too.

They also offer a great range of calzones and salads, and you can buy pasta dishes and breadsticks too. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy their dessert pizza, chocolate chip cookie or cinnamon wheel.

8. Sbarro

Sbarro is the home of the extra-large New York pizza. And when you join the Slice Society, the chain’s loyalty scheme, you’ll get a free slice when you buy a beverage.

But there’s more to Sbarro’s than the New York slice, delicious though that is. It also offers a thick crust Sicilian style pizza called the Roman. And there’s a tasty range of Stromboli, plus a couple of pasta dishes and salads too.

When it comes to sides, it’s breadsticks or nothing. And there’s no dessert on offer here either. But while the range is more limited than some other chains, the food here is great quality. And there are some excellent catering options for larger gatherings too.

9. Mountain Mike’s

Mountain Mike’s is a west coast chain with most of its pizzerias in California. If you’re within reach of one, it’s a good option for pizzas, salads, sides and a few desserts.

Here you’ll get all the topping combinations you’d expect. The pepperoni, cheese and create your own options will be sure-fire hits. But there’s also a wide range of specialty pizzas, many with their own mountain-themed name.

Vegetarians can opt for the Mount Veggiemore, featuring black olives, artichokes, mushrooms, bell peppers and sliced fresh tomatoes. Those who love their meat have more choice. The Pikes Peak, with pepperoni, Italian sausage, salami, beef, linguica and ham, is a carnivore’s delight.

There’s also an excellent selection of wings, whether boneless or bone-in. And there are oven-baked sandwiches and salads too.

Ready for pizza?

We hope you’ve enjoyed our round-up of nine of the best pizza chains in the USA! Wherever you live, and whatever your budget, there are some great options out there.

If you’re all about the pizza, there’s lots of variety to choose from. And if you’re looking for salads and sides too, many chains have a good range. If you’re dining alone, look for those that offer “personal” sized pizzas. And if you’re throwing a party, check out their catering options.

We hope you enjoy your next pizza night!