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 celebrated at our local Pizza Hut. Even into my 30s, I still host themed pizza nights for myself. Americans clearly share my enthusiasm: on average the country consumes about 100 acres of pizza each day, and the average American eats roughly 46 slices per year.
With roughly 61,269 pizzerias nationwide, great pizza is easy to find. Below is a curated look at 25 of the most popular U.S. pizza chains and what sets each 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
What began as a single restaurant in Palo Alto has expanded to nearly 200 locations across the Western U.S. Mountain Mike’s is especially known for its crispy, curly pepperoni and classic West Coast flavor. The chain has attracted a loyal following, including some celebrity fans.
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 “Michael” Scotto, who brought authentic Neapolitan recipes to New York, Villa emphasizes hospitality, homemade dough and fresh sauce. The brand grew from a single family restaurant into an enduring regional chain run today by Scotto’s sons.
23. Donatos Pizza
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U.S. sales: $191,000,000
Year founded: 1963
Headquartered: Columbus, Ohio
Number of locations: 161
Jim Grote bought Donatos as a college student and built it into a family-owned business with locations across multiple states. Donatos is known for its “Edge to Edge” philosophy, ensuring toppings cover every inch of the slice.
22. Mellow Mushroom
mellowmushroom / Instagram
U.S. sales: $210,645,000
Year founded: 1974
Headquartered: Atlanta, Georgia
Number of locations: 194
Known for vibrant interiors, stone-baked pies and a signature spring-water crust, Mellow Mushroom blends creative menu choices with art-filled, eclectic restaurant designs and a focus on fresh ingredients.
21. Rosati’s Pizza
rosatis_pizza / Instagram
U.S. sales: $211,500,000
Year founded: 1964
Headquartered: Elgin, Illinois
Number of locations: 143
Tracing its roots back to pizza makers from Naples who opened restaurants in Chicago, Rosati’s focused on pizza beginning in the 1960s and has grown into a respected national brand with a traditional Italian approach.
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
Mike and Helen Valerio opened Papa Gino’s to share family Italian recipes with Boston-area diners. Decades later, the brand still emphasizes consistency and the same recipes many customers remember from childhood.
19. Pizza Ranch
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U.S. sales: $231,386,000
Year founded: 1981
Headquartered: Hull, Iowa
Number of locations: 207
Started by Adrie Groeneweg and his family, Pizza Ranch grew from a local idea into a regional chain known for its family-friendly atmosphere and community focus, now operating across multiple Midwestern states.
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 deep-dish pizza to a wider audience in 1943. Uno’s buttery, pie-like deep dish remains a signature item, with restaurants also offering thin-crust options and an expanding craft-beer selection.
17. Godfather’s Pizza
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U.S. sales: $250,000,000
Year founded: 1973
Headquartered: Omaha, Nebraska
Number of locations: 465
Godfather’s has experienced major ups and downs since its founding, including rapid expansion and ownership changes. The chain remains popular for its hearty, thick-crust pies.
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 an extensive craft-beer program. The concept started among friends who wanted a lively spot to enjoy pizza and discover new brews.
15. MOD Pizza
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U.S. sales: $275,000,000
Year founded: 2008
Headquartered: Bellevue, Washington
Number of locations: 367
Inspired by the fast-casual model, MOD offers customizable artisan-style personal pizzas with dozens of toppings. The company emphasizes fair employee pay, second-chance hiring, and environmentally conscious packaging.
14. Blaze Pizza
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U.S. sales: $314,700,000
Year founded: 2011
Headquartered: Pasadena, California
Number of locations: 278
Founded to be the “Chipotle of pizza,” Blaze focuses on high-speed, customizable pizzas and sustainable practices, using recyclable and compostable packaging made from reclaimed materials.
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 began when founder Eugene Jetts changed course and opened a restaurant instead of buying a house. The chain is best known for its generous deep-dish offerings and has expanded across more than 20 states.
12. Round Table Pizza
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U.S. sales: $398,000,000
Year founded: 1959
Headquartered: Concord, California
Number of locations: 450
Bill Larson opened the first Round Table Pizza with the idea of sharing quality pizza with people you love. That mission has helped the brand grow into a widespread chain known for family-friendly restaurants and consistent pies.
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 is credited with popularizing flavored crusts in the U.S. — garlic herb remains a fan favorite. Founded from a converted hamburger joint, the chain now serves customers in more than 20 states.
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 popularized the unlimited pizza buffet format. Founded in Plano, Texas, the chain continues to attract families and groups who enjoy all-you-can-eat 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 arcade games and family entertainment, Chuck E. Cheese’s has been a go-to destination for birthday parties and family outings. The brand is updating many locations to modernize the experience while keeping its pizza staples.
8. Marco’s Pizza
Marco’s Pizza / Facebook
U.S. sales: $596,358,506
Year founded: 1978
Headquartered: Toledo, Ohio
Number of locations: 901
Built on authentic Italian roots, Marco’s prides itself on traditional recipes and quality ingredients. Since its founding, the chain has grown to nearly 1,000 locations across several countries.
7. Sbarro
sbarroofficial / Instagram
U.S. sales: $609,000,000
Year founded: 1956
Headquartered: Columbus, Ohio
Number of locations: 830
Founded in Brooklyn by Carmela and Gennaro Sbarro, the chain became known for large slices and fast, convenient meals — particularly for shift workers and mall crowds. Sbarro now operates internationally as well.
6. Papa Murphy’s International
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U.S. sales: $827,000,000
Year founded: 1995
Headquartered: Vancouver, Washington
Number of locations: 1,550
Papa Murphy’s specializes in the take-and-bake model: pizzas are prepared in-store and baked at home. Born from the merger of two local brands, it’s grown into a major player, particularly strong 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
Though it has fewer locations than some national chains, California Pizza Kitchen draws a devoted audience with inventive pizzas and a bright, casual dining experience. Recently the company added a take-and-bake option to its offerings.
4. Papa John’s International
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U.S. sales: $3,695,000,000
Year founded: 1984
Headquartered: Louisville, Kentucky
Number of locations: 5,199
Papa John’s began in a broom closet and grew into a global franchise by focusing on quality ingredients and consistent delivery. The brand now operates in dozens of countries and remains one of the largest pizza companies by sales.
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 with a small savings investment, Little Caesars grew into a major national chain known for its “Hot-N-Ready” model — inexpensive pizzas ready for immediate pickup. The brand emphasizes convenience and value rather than home 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
Started by two brothers with an eight-letter sign constraint, Pizza Hut grew into the largest pizza chain by number of locations in the U.S. Known for its dine-in restaurants and diverse menu, the brand became a global icon with a massive footprint.
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 as a small pizza shop opened by two brothers in Michigan and evolved into a global delivery leader. With thousands of locations worldwide, Domino’s serves over a million pizzas daily and has expanded its menu beyond pizza to include sandwiches, pasta and desserts.