Operations

Pizza Marketplace’s 'Brands to Watch 2026' released

The report lists 25 pizzerias doing great things as we go into the new year.

Photo: Adobe Stock

December 19, 2025

As the pizza industry navigates a period of rapid evolution, Pizza Marketplace's "Pizza Brands to Watch 2026" report highlights 25 innovative companies that are redefining the segment through technological integration and creative culinary shifts.

This year's list captures a distinct tension between high-tech efficiency — such as AI-driven logistics and automated dough pressing — and a return to artisanal quality, with independent pizzerias leading the charge in slow-fermentation dough and locally sourced ingredients. Growth is largely driven by "experiential" and "fusion" dining, where traditional pepperoni is being challenged by global influences like Korean-style sauces and Mexican-inspired toppings.

While national giants face strategic shifts and stock turbulence, these rising brands are gaining momentum by mastering the "quality-over-convenience" demand, leaning into regional styles like Detroit style and New Haven Apizza, and capitalizing on social media-driven food trends to capture a highly competitive market.

Check out who made our report here.