According to a news report from usatoday.com, “Subway is to sandwiches what Dunkin’ is to doughnuts. So why are both chains exploring — pizza?”
“It’s because fast foodies find it tough to resist sticking a gooey finger in the $28.5 billion pizza industry at a time when the pie biggies — Pizza Hut (YUM), Domino’s (DPZ)(PZZA) — have seen growth stall,” said the story. “More than a decade ago, even McDonald’s (MCD) tested pizza before tossing in the apron. But with consumer interest in pizza high and pizza-dominated chains’ sales lagging, the temptation to roll out the dough is once again peaking. Of all meals eaten at restaurants, 9% now include pizza, reports NPD Group. “The demographic of pizza eaters is about the same as oxygen breathers,” says Steve Green, publisher of PMQ’s Pizza Magazine, a trade publication. Recent pizza growth has been in artisan, take-n’-bake and rising-crust pizzas, Green says. Now, Subway and Dunkin’ think faster, smaller pizzas may find a niche. Subway is dishing out personal-size pizzas at about half its stores nationally, and Dunkin’ Donuts is testing personal pizzas at 15 prototype stores in six states.” and Papa John’s
