Is there anything better than pizza?
I was such a fan of the Pizza Hut Book It! program as a kid that I insisted most of my birthdays be held at our local Hut. Into my 30s I still throw themed pizza parties. Americans clearly love pizza: roughly 100 acres of pizza are consumed each day nationwide, and the average person in the U.S. eats about 46 slices annually. With more than 61,000 pizzerias across the country, pizza options are endless. Below is a refreshed, SEO-optimized look at the top 25 pizza chains in America, exploring what sets each one apart.
25. Mountain Mike’s Pizza
foodieoc / Instagram
U.S. sales: $157,625,000
Year founded: 1978
Headquartered: Newport Beach, California
Number of locations: 195
Mountain Mike’s began as a single restaurant in Palo Alto and expanded into a West Coast franchise known for its crispy, curled pepperoni and hearty pies. Today it serves fans across California, Oregon, Nevada and Utah.
24. Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen
villaitaliankitchen / Instagram
U.S. sales: $170,044,066
Year founded: 1964
Headquartered: Morristown, New Jersey
Number of locations: 235
Founded by Michele Scotto, who brought traditional Naples recipes to New York, Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen focuses on hospitality, homemade dough and fresh sauce. The family-run brand has grown steadily while keeping its classic Italian roots.
23. Donatos Pizza
donatospizza / Instagram
U.S. sales: $191,000,000
Year founded: 1963
Headquartered: Columbus, Ohio
Number of locations: 161
Jim Grote bought Donatos while still a college student and built it into a regional favorite. Family-owned to this day, Donatos is famous for its “Edge to Edge” philosophy that ensures every slice is generously topped.
22. Mellow Mushroom
mellowmushroom / Instagram
U.S. sales: $210,645,000
Year founded: 1974
Headquartered: Atlanta, Georgia
Number of locations: 194
Mellow Mushroom is known for colorful, art-filled restaurants and stone-baked pizzas with a distinct crust. Founded in Atlanta, the chain emphasizes fresh ingredients and imaginative menu options across nearly 200 locations.
21. Rosati’s Pizza
rosatis_pizza / Instagram
U.S. sales: $211,500,000
Year founded: 1964
Headquartered: Elgin, Illinois
Number of locations: 143
Rooted in a family tradition that began in Chicago in the early 1900s, Rosati’s focuses on classic Italian flavors. The brand has become a staple in suburbs and cities alike, earning recognition among top franchises.
20. Papa Gino’s Pizzeria
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U.S. sales: $215,000,000
Year founded: 1961
Headquartered: Dedham, Massachusetts
Number of locations: 281
Founded by Mike and Helen Valerio to share family recipes in Boston, Papa Gino’s remains committed to the same pizza many grew up with. The chain has maintained its traditional approach while operating hundreds of locations.
19. Pizza Ranch
pizzaranchrestaurants / Instagram
U.S. sales: $231,386,000
Year founded: 1981
Headquartered: Hull, Iowa
Number of locations: 207
Started by a young Adrie Groeneweg who recognized local demand for pizza, Pizza Ranch combines family recipes and community-focused hospitality. The chain has grown to serve customers across multiple states, with a strong buffet and carryout presence.
18. Uno Chicago Grill
unopizzeriaandgrill / Instagram
U.S. sales: $245,000,000
Year founded: 1943
Headquartered: West Roxbury, Massachusetts
Number of locations: 113
Ike Sewell introduced the deep-dish pizza at his original Chicago location in 1943. Uno pioneered the buttery, pie-like deep dish that requires a longer bake time but rewards diners with a rich, filling slice.
17. Godfather’s Pizza
godfatherspizza / Instagram
U.S. sales: $250,000,000
Year founded: 1973
Headquartered: Omaha, Nebraska
Number of locations: 465
Godfather’s grew rapidly after launching in Omaha and became known for its thick-crust pies. The brand experienced major expansion and leadership changes over time but remains popular for hearty, classic pizzas.
16. Old Chicago Pizza and Taproom
oldchicago / Instagram
U.S. sales: $265,409,945
Year founded: 1976
Headquartered: Bloomfield, Colorado
Number of locations: 106
Old Chicago pairs Chicago-style pizza with a strong focus on craft beer. Named after a classic pinball game, the concept blends comfort food with a beer-forward dining experience.
15. MOD Pizza
modpizza / Instagram
U.S. sales: $275,000,000
Year founded: 2008
Headquartered: Bellevue, Washington
Number of locations: 367
Following a fast-casual, build-your-own model, MOD offers artisan-style personal pizzas with dozens of toppings. The company emphasizes fair pay, hiring second-chance employees, and uses biodegradable packaging throughout its operations.
14. Blaze Pizza
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U.S. sales: $314,700,000
Year founded: 2011
Headquartered: Pasadena, California
Number of locations: 278
Established as a fast-casual concept modeled after Chipotle’s success, Blaze focuses on quick-fired personal pizzas and sustainability, using recyclable and compostable packaging across its stores.
13. Jet’s Pizza
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U.S. sales: $372,294,000
Year founded: 1978
Headquartered: Sterling Heights, Michigan
Number of locations: 387
Jet’s started when founder Eugene Jetts pivoted from plans to buy a home to opening a restaurant. Known for its deep-dish and square-cut Detroit-style pizzas, Jet’s has expanded across more than 20 states.
12. Round Table Pizza
roundtablepizza / Instagram
U.S. sales: $398,000,000
Year founded: 1959
Headquartered: Concord, California
Number of locations: 450
Founded in Menlo Park, Round Table promotes sharing pizza with loved ones. With a focus on quality ingredients and a welcoming atmosphere, the brand has grown into a nationwide presence.
11. Hungry Howie’s Pizza
hungryhowies / Instagram
U.S. sales: $410,336,588
Year founded: 1973
Headquartered: Madison Heights, Michigan
Number of locations: 551
Hungry Howie’s introduced flavored crusts to many pizza fans—garlic herb is a popular choice. Founded by Jim Hearn, the chain operates across more than 20 states with its signature crust options.
10. CiCi’s Pizza
Jonathunder / Wikimedia Commons
U.S. sales: $445,000,000
Year founded: 1985
Headquartered: Irving, Texas
Number of locations: 465
CiCi’s is best known for pioneering the unlimited pizza buffet, making it a destination for families and groups who want variety and value alongside classic pizza, salads and desserts.
9. Chuck E. Cheese’s
Mike Mozart / Flickr
U.S. sales: $504,000,000
Year founded: 1977
Headquartered: Irving, Texas
Number of locations: 756
Combining pizza with family entertainment, Chuck E. Cheese’s offers arcade games, shows and dining. The company is modernizing many locations while continuing to serve kid-friendly pizza and party experiences.
8. Marco’s Pizza
Marco’s Pizza / Facebook
U.S. sales: $596,358,506
Year founded: 1978
Headquartered: Toledo, Ohio
Number of locations: 901
Known for its Italian-style approach, Marco’s emphasizes authentic flavors and dough recipes inspired by its founder’s heritage. Today the chain operates nearly 1,000 locations in several countries.
7. Sbarro
sbarroofficial / Instagram
U.S. sales: $609,000,000
Year founded: 1956
Headquartered: Columbus, Ohio
Number of locations: 830
Starting as a Brooklyn slice shop for shift workers, Sbarro expanded into food courts and international markets. The brand remains a go-to for quick, familiar pizza by the slice.
6. Papa Murphy’s International
papamurphys / Instagram
U.S. sales: $827,000,000
Year founded: 1995
Headquartered: Vancouver, Washington
Number of locations: 1,550
Papa Murphy’s specializes in take-and-bake pizzas: orders are prepared for customers to finish baking at home. The model has proven popular across many regions, especially in the Pacific Northwest.
5. California Pizza Kitchen
californiapizzakitchen / Instagram
U.S. sales: $840,000,000
Year founded: 1985
Headquartered: Playa Vista, California
Number of locations: 267
California Pizza Kitchen built a loyal following with inventive, California-inspired pizzas and bold flavors. The brand’s smaller footprint belies its strong sales and devoted customer base.
4. Papa John’s International
papajohns / Instagram
U.S. sales: $3,695,000,000
Year founded: 1984
Headquartered: Louisville, Kentucky
Number of locations: 5,199
Starting from a converted broom closet in a family tavern, Papa John’s grew into a global brand known for consistent quality and wide delivery reach. The chain operates in dozens of countries and continues to be a major player in the pizza market.
3. Little Caesars Pizza
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U.S. sales: $4,000,000,000
Year founded: 1959
Headquartered: Detroit, Michigan
Number of locations: 5,500
Founded by Mike and Marian Ilitch, Little Caesars is famous for offering hot, ready-to-go pizza at an affordable price. The chain’s “Hot-N-Ready” model helped it expand rapidly without relying on delivery.
2. Pizza Hut
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U.S. sales: $12,034,000,000
Year founded: 1958
Headquartered: Plano, Texas
Number of locations: 16,748
Founded by two brothers who borrowed $600 to open a small pizza shop, Pizza Hut grew into the largest pizza chain by locations. Known for dine-in, carryout and delivery options, the brand remains a global icon in pizza.
1. Domino’s
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U.S. sales: $12,252,100,000
Year founded: 1960
Headquartered: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Number of locations: 14,856
Domino’s began in 1960 and has grown into a global delivery powerhouse. With more than 14,000 locations in dozens of countries, Domino’s delivers over 1.5 million pizzas every day and continues to expand its menu and technology-driven ordering options.
Note: Sales figures are sourced from industry reports and reflect the most recent available data referenced in the original compilation.