Sponsored by Grande Cheese.
Pizza has long dominated dinner. But in 2025, operators are finding real growth between meals. The rise of snacking culture is reshaping how consumers think about food, and pizzerias that adapt to this shift can unlock new sales during slower dayparts.
According to Datassential’s Snack Trends Report, 66 percent of consumers believe that anything can be a snack, including hot, savory, or entrée-style items like pizza slices. That perception opens the door for operators to reframe pizza, mozzarella-forward dishes, and baked items as craveable snacks rather than full meals. It’s a mindset shift that aligns perfectly with how modern guests are eating.
“Consumers are often snacking in place of meals or looking for smaller-portion options when it comes to dining out,” says Lisa Wells, senior insights manager at Grande Cheese Company. “If consumers don’t know pizzerias offer snacks or smaller portions, like slices, they aren’t even in the consideration set.”
Seventy-four percent of consumers replace a traditional meal with a snack at least once a week, and nearly 30 percent of their last snack occasions replaced a full meal, according to Datassential. This makes pizza a natural fit for the evolving snacking daypart. Known for its buttery flavor, consistent melt, and exceptional performance whether served hot out of the oven or reheated later, Grande Mozzarella makes a standout foundation for these smaller, satisfying creations.
And the appetite is already there. According to Datassential, 42 percent of consumers say they are likely to order a slice of pizza from a restaurant as a snack, proving that operators don’t have to reinvent the wheel to win these sales. They just need to meet consumers where they already are with portionable, portable, and premium snack offerings.
Still, taste and health need to coexist. Nearly half of consumers (49 percent) said their last snack was indulgent, while 41 percent described it as healthy, according to Datassential. That duality (seeking comfort and balance at the same time) gives Grande Cheese an advantage. Its natural, authentic-Italian cheeses are made “with the finest ingredients available,” and its operator-first “100-Percenter Tools & Services” program supports culinary, business, and marketing needs. With Grande Cheese, operators can position pizza snacks as both flavorful indulgences and high-quality, wholesome bites.
Beyond menu innovation, operators can lean on marketing tools to help reposition pizza for all-day enjoyment. “Helping our operators market their business is what our pizza-focused marketing team is here for,” says Debbie Ponath, senior director of marketing and operator business development at Grande Cheese Company. “Whether it’s designing a new website, menu, digital or direct-marketing campaign, our team begins with the operator’s business objective and creates the tools to help meet their goals.”
As consumers continue to snack more often, the momentum isn’t slowing. For operators, the opportunity lies in offering smaller versions of signature favorites or creating snack menus that showcase the craveable power of quality cheese.
To discover quality cheese solutions, visit Grande Cheese’s website.
By Drew Filipski
