With endless opportunities to customize toppings, sauces, crusts and cheeses, pizza is here to stay. According to Pizza Magazine, nationwide pizza sales are expected to hit nearly $54 billion in the next three years, so it’s important to know who’s spending all that money on pies and what they’re looking for in a pizza-eating experience.
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Top 5 pizza trends for 2021
1. Local produce, dairy and meat
Consumers are looking to shop small more than ever. If you aren’t already, start working with local farmers, dairies and ranches to incorporate some locally-grown ingredients into your pizzas. And when you do, make sure to shout them out on the menu so guests can feel good about supporting local suppliers.
2. Vegan and gluten-free options
People are becoming increasingly more wellness-focused and they’re looking for fresh and healthy options in a familiar form. Veganizing a pizza is simple—just incorporate non-dairy cheese alternatives or simply omit it altogether. For those who can’t or choose not to eat gluten, try making a crust option for them out of a gluten-free flour alternative or the now-famous cauliflower crust.
3. Flavors that win over Gen Z
With Gen Z’s spending power estimated to be between $29 billion and $143 billion (Pizza Magazine), you’re going to want to start catering to them if you haven’t already. Some of their current favorite flavors include harissa, Indian and Southeast Asian spices, sweet and savory mashups and fermented foods, so use those as a jumping-off point to create some unique pies.
4. Online ordering
Ordering food online or through a mobile app is more popular than ever, and with 60% of people ordering takeout or delivery at least once a week, it’s important to get your pizzeria on board. If third-party fees are holding you back, look into a system that integrates with your restaurant POS.
5. Eco-friendly packaging
Speaking of Gen Z, they’re some of the most passionate environmental activists out there and they want to support brands that share their values. Offering your takeout and delivery items in recyclable or compostable packaging will help win them over just as much, if not more, than trendy flavors.
Looking for more inspiration? Let’s review some top pizza trends from years past
Cauliflower crust
Not only is cauliflower crust a health-conscious option, it’s also gluten-free. Recipes have been popping up all over the internet and the trend does not seem to be going away anytime soon.
Detroit-style pizza
Detroit-style pizza is always rectangular and the cheese is sprinkled all the way to the edges, giving it a crispy browned crust. The popular pizza increasingly began to pop up in areas other than Detroit around 2019 and so far has been a huge hit.
Non-tomato based sauces
Pizza-lovers’ willingness to try unique sauces on their pizzas is one trend that is here to stay. Whether it is to satisfy their tastebuds or garner likes on social media, people are still clamoring to get their hands on fun pizzas with non-tomato based sauces. Some unique sauces ideas include Alfredo sauce, olive tapenade, barbeque, pesto or a drizzle of ranch.
Unique toppings
Mix up your basic cheese pizza by adding some non-traditional toppings to them. We’ve seen everything from taco pies to Reuben sandwich pizzas and the carb-loaded mac and cheese varieties. As far as pizzas go, you’re only limited by your own imagination.
The right technology can help your pizzeria streamline delivery, save money on online ordering and more. For more information on how Lightspeed can help, get in touch with one of our experts.
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