Sales at pizza restaurants in the U.S. are expected to reach $36.1 billion in 2012, up nearly 4% from 2011, according to a new report from Packaged Facts.

The report finds that 97% of U.S. adults eat pizza, and 93% have purchased food from a pizza restaurant within the last year. Monthly, 27% of consumers get pizza through restaurant delivery/pickup, 26% from dining in restaurants and 24% from supermarket frozen food cases.

These statistics demonstrate why pizza is such a hot product, but also show that it’s tricky to grow sales in this commoditized market. Pizza restaurants are losing share to other restaurant cuisine formats, yet major pizza chains continue to grow sales. At retail, private-label continues to gain sales, and steal share, in each of three mass-market pizza segments (frozen pizza, pizza products and refrigerated pizza). On store shelves, category growth is primarily on the natural and organic front.

Food consumption trends lean toward healthier options and home-based cost savings, which can undermine the pizza sales in restaurants and stores. According to David Sprinkle, publisher of Packaged Facts, the main message to pizza purveyors is evident: Enhance the overall healthfulness of your pizza without sacrificing taste.

Source: www.foodbusiness.com, www.progressivegrocer.com