Pizza Hut has been crowned America’s best-tasting fast-food pizza chain in a comprehensive survey that polled more than 44,000 diners across the United States. The YouGov survey, conducted between March 2025 and February 2026, found that the classic chain narrowly edged out rival Domino’s to claim the top spot in the national rankings.
The results, released as part of YouGov’s annual restaurant rankings report, show Pizza Hut earning 19.1% of the vote compared to Domino’s at 17.1%. However, the survey also revealed that more than one in five Americans still prefer their local pizzeria over any national chain.
Survey Results and Rankings
The YouGov survey asked American diners to identify which pizza chain they believed offered the best-tasting fast-food pizza. Pizza Hut secured the leading position with 19.1% of votes, followed closely by Domino’s with 17.1% of respondents choosing the Michigan-born chain.
Papa Johns came in third place with 11.4% of the vote, while Little Caesars captured 5.3% of respondent preferences. Marco’s Pizza rounded out the top five national chains with 4.7% of votes.
One of the most significant findings from the survey was that the single largest share of Americans selected an “other local or regional brand” over all the national chains tested. More than one in five respondents indicated they preferred their local or regional pizza brands to any of the major national competitors.
What Industry Experts Say
Kenton Barello, a Chicago-based senior vice president of YouGov, provided insight into the survey results and what they mean for the pizza industry.
“Pizza Hut’s lead over Domino’s in our best-tasting pizza rankings suggests the brand continues to benefit from strong long-term affinity among consumers, particularly older Americans who maintain a very positive impression of the chain,” Barello said.
He also pointed to the emotional connections many Americans have with the brand. “There is likely also a nostalgia factor at play, as Pizza Hut has been a familiar part of the American dining landscape for decades,” Barello explained.
The YouGov executive highlighted the strength of independent pizza establishments in the findings. “One of the more interesting findings is that the single largest share of Americans selected an ‘other local or regional brand’ over the national chains we tested, highlighting the enduring strength of independent pizzerias,” Barello noted.
Regarding broader implications for the industry, Barello stated, “The broader takeaway for the pizza industry is that while marketing visibility matters, familiarity, emotional connection and consistency continue to play a major role in shaping consumer preference in a highly competitive category.”
Pizza Hut’s History and Reach
Pizza Hut has a long history in American dining. The chain was founded in Wichita, Kansas in 1958 and began franchising the following year in 1959. The company is now headquartered in Plano, Texas.
Today, Pizza Hut operates nearly 20,000 locations in more than 100 countries around the world, making it one of the largest pizza chains globally.
Domino’s Background
Domino’s, which finished second in the survey, has its own storied history in the American pizza market. The company opened its first restaurant in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1960. Originally called DomiNick’s Pizza, the company was renamed Domino’s in 1965.
Domino’s opened its first franchise location in 1967 and has since grown to operate more than 22,300 locations worldwide, making it the largest pizza chain by number of locations.
The Broader Pizza Market
The survey results come as the pizza market continues to show strong consumer interest. According to the survey data, frozen pizza sales reached approximately $7 billion in 2024, indicating that Americans maintain a strong appetite for pizza whether dining out, ordering delivery or preparing it at home.
The competition between Pizza Hut and Domino’s remains tight, with only a 2 percentage point difference separating the two chains in the taste rankings. This narrow margin underscores the competitive nature of the fast-food pizza segment.
What the Rankings Mean for Consumers
The YouGov survey provides American pizza lovers with data-driven insights into which chains their fellow diners prefer. With more than 44,000 respondents participating over a nearly year-long survey period from March 2025 to February 2026, the results offer a substantial sample of American pizza preferences.
The strong showing for local and regional brands suggests that while national chains dominate the marketing landscape, many Americans still value their neighborhood pizzerias and regional favorites.
Complete Survey Rankings
The full rankings from the YouGov survey for best-tasting fast-food pizza are as follows:
Pizza Hut leads with 19.1% of votes. Domino’s follows with 17.1%. Papa Johns earned 11.4% of respondent preferences. Little Caesars captured 5.3% of votes. Marco’s Pizza received 4.7% of the vote.
The survey included responses from more than 44,000 diners across the country, conducted over a period spanning from March 2025 through February 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pizza chain was ranked best-tasting in America?
According to a YouGov survey of more than 44,000 diners, Pizza Hut was ranked as America’s best-tasting fast-food pizza chain with 19.1% of votes, narrowly beating Domino’s at 17.1%.
How many people participated in the pizza survey?
The YouGov survey included more than 44,000 diners across the United States. The survey was conducted between March 2025 and February 2026 as part of YouGov’s annual restaurant rankings report.
Did any pizza chain beat Pizza Hut in the survey?
While Pizza Hut topped the national chain rankings, more than one in five survey respondents actually preferred local or regional pizza brands over all the national chains tested, making “other local or regional brands” the largest single response category.
Where is Pizza Hut headquartered?
Pizza Hut is headquartered in Plano, Texas. The company was originally founded in Wichita, Kansas in 1958 and now operates nearly 20,000 locations in more than 100 countries.
How many locations does Domino’s have?
Domino’s operates more than 22,300 locations worldwide, making it the largest pizza chain by number of locations. The company opened its first restaurant in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1960.
The YouGov survey results highlight the continued popularity of established pizza chains among American consumers while also demonstrating the enduring appeal of local pizzerias across the country. The annual restaurant rankings report provides a snapshot of consumer preferences in the competitive fast-food pizza market.
