National Pizza Day: grab a slice and celebrate

Holidays are all about celebrating what’s most important to us. By that standard, it’s only fitting that we pay tribute to the one food that just about everyone adores.

It’s National Pizza Day, and chances are, many who were unaware would have picked up a slice or two regardless. What’s not to love? It’s quick and simple. It’s convenient and absolutely delicious. If pizza tops your list of favorites, you’re from alone.

Consider these facts:

  • In a 2018 Harris Poll, 21% of respondents said they would choose pizza if they could only have one food for the rest of their lives.  
  • In 2020, there were more than 78,000 pizza restaurants in the US, which generated more than $46 billion in sales. Pizzerias make up just about 17% of all US restaurants. 
  • More mozzarella is produced than any other cheese in the United States, and pizza is the key reason. US cheesemakers produced 4.45 billion pounds of mozzarella in 2020, according to the US Department of Agriculture. While mozzarella is the king as it comes to pizza cheese, it’s far from the only option. Click here to learn about some excellent combinations for a delicious and distinctive cheese pizza.
  • For a food that most of us eat regularly, pizza has a relatively short history in the United States. Lombardi’s Pizza in New York City is recognized as the first US pizzeria, having opened its doors in 1905. Pizza, however, only gained national traction upon the return of soldiers from World War II. The first frozen pizzas were introduced in grocery stores in the 1950s.
  • About 13% of the US population consumes pizza on any given day, according to the USDA.

National Pizza Day offers plenty of great ways to mark the occasion. Head out and grab your favorite take-and-bake. Call in for takeout or delivery. Make a point to visit your favorite locally owned pizzeria. Whatever option you choose, keep an eye out for coupons or search your social media. Many pizza places are planning some tempting specials to commemorate the day.

There are other great ways to celebrate. Gather the family in the kitchen, get some flour on your hands and make a delicious pizza from scratch. Choose your favorite regional style, whether it's New York, Chicago or Detroit.

Every style shares one common point that makes a great pizza: the most delicious examples feature the very best cheese. Whatever way you choose to celebrate, make sure your pizza is piled high with the bubbling, stretchy, most delectable part of any slice.

For busy pizzerias, achieve some ease with the addition of a single ingredient. PZ™ dough conditioners from Agropur create a relaxed dough that’s easier to work. As a result, it takes less time and labor to achieve the consistent crusts your customers are raving about. 

Agropur is a North American dairy leader, producing high-quality ingredients and more than 1 billion pounds of wholesome, award-winning cheese every year. Click here to learn more about Agropur cheese.