More than half of U.S. pizza restaurant sales are generated by pizza chains, with the rest accounted for by independent restaurants. The leading pizza chains in the U.S. include Pizza Hut, Domino’s Pizza, Papa John’s and Little Caesars. Pizza Hut is operated by parent company Yum! Brands, the third largest quick service restaurant company worldwide in 2015. The company also operates well-known fast food chains KFC and Taco Bell. In the same year, Domino's Pizza ranked as the fifth largest quick service restaurant in the world.
Despite their status as industry leaders, Domino’s and Pizza Hut placed just fifth and seventh respectively among the U.S. consumer’s favorite pizza chains, beaten by such names as Papa Murphy’s and Pizza Ranch. But there is surely tough competition in nation that famously loves pizza. A nationwide survey by Nielsen Scarborough in spring 2016 found that over 79 million Americans had visited a pizza restaurant within the past month.
