February 9th marks National Pizza Day, a day that often has pepperoni taking the spotlight on menus across America.
Pizza, one of the country’s favorite foods, has roots in 18th century Naples and has evolved into multiple styles over the years.
In the U.S., you can find everything from New York and Detroit styles to the deep-dish Chicago variety, but pepperoni consistently ranks as the favorite topping nationwide.
According to the food website Chowhound, they ranked the best chain pepperoni pizzas available throughout the country. Their choices were based on taste, ingredient quality, and value.
Let’s dive into their selections for fast food pizzas!
1. Jet’s Pizza
At the top of Chowhound’s list is Jet’s Pizza, a Michigan-based chain known for its Detroit-style offerings.
The chain boasts various pizza types, all customizable with pepperoni. They operate hundreds of restaurants across 22 states—most are in Michigan, with a total of 166 locations.
Jet’s emphasizes using fresh, vine-ripened tomatoes, Italian spices, daily-made dough, and high-quality mozzarella cheese.
2. Godfather’s Pizza
Second on the list is Godfather’s Pizza, a Nebraska chain with over 2,000 locations.
Interestingly, former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain served as their CEO during the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Godfather’s website highlights their pizzas as being loaded with quality ingredients and perfectly melted cheese, offering a rich flavor in every bite.
3. Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut comes in third, which is no surprise given its massive popularity. The chain operates around 16,000 restaurants in 100 countries.
The menu includes classics like the Pepperoni Lovers pizza and the tavern-style Pepperoni Duo. They even offer a gluten-free pepperoni pizza, complete with marinara sauce and real mozzarella.
4. Papa John’s
Originating from Jeffersonville, Indiana, Papa John’s has become a well-known name with over 5,000 outlets in 45 countries.
In addition to pepperoni, their pizzas come with signature pepperoncini peppers. One standout is the Shaka Roni Pizza, reportedly inspired by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, featuring a substantial amount of cheese and pepperoni.
5. Domino’s Pizza
Even though Domino’s ranks lower on the list, its popularity is undeniable. The chain runs approximately 14,000 locations across more than 85 countries, churning out about 1.5 million pizzas daily.
The brand offers customers excellent deals, especially on February 9, like Mix & Match Deals for $6.99 each, alongside their ultimate pepperoni pie, featuring two layers of pepperoni and a blend of cheeses.
