These Are the Largest Pizza Chains in the Country, According to QSR Magazine

This week, QSR magazine released its annual QSR 50 report, spotlighting the largest quick-service chains in the U.S. Six different pizza brands made the QSR 50, including Domino’s, Pizza Hut and others.

The QSR 50 ranks the top quick-service chains by sales figures. Those numbers are always taken from the year prior—meaning unit counts and sales figures from this year’s report were current as of the end of 2023.

The QSR 50 also spotlights 50 more “contending” brands. This list isn’t the next 50 chains in terms of sales, but rather 50 chains to keep an eye on. The QSR Top 50 Contenders list included four more pizza chains, including Hungry Howie’s and Sbarro.

Here’s a closer look at the largest pizza chains in the country and how they fared in this year’s QSR 50.

10. Domino’s

This photo shows the exterior of a Domino's restaurant in Las Vegas with a tall palm tree in front.

U.S. Units: 6,854 (+168)

U.S. Sales: $9.03 billion

Average Unit Volume (AUV): $1.32 million

2023 rank: 9

In late July, Domino’s stock price plummeted due to fears associated with one of its largest international franchisees. However, that may have just been a blip in the radar—the type that companies as big as Domino’s recognize as just a routine part of doing business. It’s important to remember, too, that Domino’s stock price had surged over 30% in the year leading up to that tumble.

Ben Coley, QSR editor, said there’s plenty to love about the year Domino’s had, something that is reflected in its commanding lead over rival Pizza Hut in terms of both sales and unit count.

“Domino’s is widening its lead in the fast-food pizza category,” Coley said. “After issues with delivery times and staffing, Domino’s hit the reset button [in late 2023] and gathered franchisees at its headquarters in Michigan to go over operational best practices. The chain followed that up with its ‘Hungry for MORE’ strategy, touching on more appealing food, operational improvements, clearer value, and a focus on franchise profitability.

“Not to mention,” Coley continued, “the significant agreement with UberEats, which is opening a big opportunity for more customers, and an upgraded loyalty program, which is allowing customers to earn free items faster. All of this combined has led to soaring sales and continued franchisee development interest.”

13. Pizza Hut

This photo shows the brightly lit exterior of a Pizza Hut restaurant against a dark blue sky.

U.S. Units: 6,593 (+32)

U.S. Sales: $5.6 billion

AUV: $1.02 million

2023 rank: 12

Once the dominant force that Domino’s has become, Pizza Hut had a lukewarm year in 2023. Systemwide sales were mostly flat (1.82% increase) and the brand only netted 32 new locations.

More recently, the brand reported that sales have dropped in 2024 despite the brand focusing on offering deals and new menu items. Things might be working themselves out for Pizza Hut, though, as the brand pointed out on its most recent earnings call that Q2 sales decreased 1%, which was a far cry from Q1’s 6% same-store sales decline.

20. Papa Johns

basketball star Shaquille O'Neal poses with Papa Johns employees in honor of Papa Johns opening its 300th store in China.

U.S. Units: 3,220 (+40)

U.S. Sales: $3.85 billion

AUV: $1.23 million

2023 rank: 20

Papa Johns held serve on this year’s QSR 50, checking in at the same exact spot it did last year: number 20. Still, one has to wonder what the brand may have accomplished had it not been in a time of transition—one that has lasted well into 2024.

“Former CEO Rob Lynch, which helped [Papa Johns] recover from a major scandal a few years ago, moved on to Shake Shack,” Coley noted. “He was recently replaced by Todd Penegor, who spent years driving growth at Wendy’s. Before Penegor was formally introduced, the company introduced a Back to Better 2.0 meant to streamline marketing, accelerate North America development, and evolve its U.S. commissary business.”

The Back to Better 2.0 campaign was a hit when it launched, but it also marked a 20 percent increase in contributions from domestic franchisees to the brand’s national marketing fund. It will be interesting to see if the campaign made a meaningful difference for Papa Johns, which has promised franchisees big things to come in the future.

24. Little Caesars

This photo shows a Little Caesars pizza box slightly opened with a bright orange light shining inside.

U.S. Units: 4,217 (+44)

U.S. Sales: $3.37 billion

AUV: $798,000

2023 rank: 21

Rounding out pizza’s “big four” is Little Caesars, which ranked 24th in the country in terms of systemwide sales. Little Caesars claims about 1,000 more locations than Papa Johns, but those locations do, on average, about $423,000 less in terms of sales.

However, it’s safe to say that Little Caesars simply has a different business model, as exhibited by the brand rolling out streamlined buildouts that can be operated by a bare-bones staff. The brand has also spent the summer celebrating the 20th anniversary of its Hot-n-Ready pizzas with a variety of promotions and giveaways.

40. Marco’s Pizza

A spread of new menu items from Marco's Pizza, including pizzas and sides.

U.S. Units: 1,144 (+77)

U.S. Sales: $1.04 billion

AUV: $943,000

2023 rank: 42

The folks at Marco’s Pizza have always made their goals perfectly clear: they would like to become one of the four largest pizza brands in the country. In 2023, the brand had to settle for being fifth biggest pizza brand—and it should be noted there’s still a very wide gap between Marco’s and Papa Johns in terms of unit count (Papa Johns has more than 2,000 more stores than Little Caesars). Similarly, Little Caesars claims systemwide sales that are triple that of Marco’s Pizza.

Still, Marco’s has given the big four plenty of reasons to be nervous. According to QSR magazine, Marco’s netted 77 new restaurants in 2023, which marked a 7% increase in the brand’s footprint. That was by far the highest rate of growth amongst pizza brands in the QSR 50.

Additionally, in April, Marco’s Pizza hatched a plan to steal the loyal customers of other pizzerias and pizza chains. The campaign, playfully dubbed, “But Wait, There’s Marco’s,” gave customers a 32% off incentive to try the “bold flavors” the brand has to offer.

47. Papa Murphy’s

The new Taco Grande pizza from Papa Murphy's.

U.S. Units: 1,127 (-41)

U.S. Sales: $758 million

AUV: $667,000

2023 rank: 48

Papa Murphy’s may have climbed a spot in the QSR 50, but it is the only top pizza brand that actually shrank in terms of store count. The net loss of 41 stores was actually an improvement—from 2021 to 2022, the take-and-bake pizza brand lost 72 stores.

“A fresh headwind came in early fiscal 2024 with the loss of lower-income customers,” QSR magazine wrote. “EBT sales fell roughly 40 percent in the first quarter thanks to decreased government funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Eric Lefebvre, CEO of parent company MTY Food Group, told investors this spring the brand has many initiatives in the works and ‘a lot more is coming.’ That includes changes in leadership—Papa Murphy’s appointed two new co-COOs late last year—as well as ongoing innovation on the menu and marketing fronts. More AI tools and strategic partnerships are on the horizon, too.”

The QSR Top 50 Contenders

11. Hungry Howie’s

U.S. Units: 524 (-12)

U.S. Sales: $468 million

AUV: $894,000

19. Sbarro

U.S. Units: 374 (+23)

U.S. Sales: $257 million

AUV: $701,000

22. Donatos

U.S. Units: 178 (+4)

U.S. Sales: $213 million