What a yr it has been!
From showdowns on the Expo flooring in Las Vegas and Columbus to the quiet, artistic revolutions taking place in kitchens throughout the nation, 2025 was a yr of progress. We noticed operators pushing the boundaries of what shoppers can anticipate from their native slice store and American pizza makers gaining unprecedented respect on a world stage. And, in fact, we noticed tendencies that inform us not simply the place we’re, however the place we’re going.
As we shut the e-book on this yr, let’s take a look at what you – the pizza operators – had been studying. These articles are a mirrored image of what issues to our trade proper now, they usually spotlight a starvation for recognition, a drive for culinary excellence and a necessity for strong, actionable enterprise intelligence.
So, seize a slice and get snug. Listed below are the highest 10 best-read tales on PizzaToday.com for 2025.
1. Official 2025 Worldwide Pizza Problem Winners at Pizza Expo
That is the large one. The Tremendous Bowl of pizza. Yearly, the Worldwide Pizza Problem (IPC) in Las Vegas units the tone for the trade, and this yr’s protection was our most-read piece by a landslide. It is smart: 550 opponents from across the globe introduced their A-games, and the outcomes had been nothing in need of spectacular.
Learn the complete breakdown of scores and winners right here.
2. Information to the 2025 Nationwide “Finest Pizzas” Lists
If there may be one factor we find out about this trade, it’s that we love an inventory. However extra importantly, we all know that clients love an inventory. Incomes a spot on a nationwide rating can change the trajectory of a enterprise in a single day, turning a neighborhood joint right into a vacation spot spot.
This text was large as a result of we did the heavy lifting for you. We aggregated the heavy hitters – 50 High Pizza, Yelp’s High 100, OpenTable and extra – into one complete information. It was unbelievable to see Una Pizza Napoletana in NYC proceed its reign, however we additionally like to see “gap within the wall” gems recognized, resembling DeLuca’s Pizza in Arkansas or Peace on Earth in Alaska.
Take a look at who made the minimize in our final information.
3. October is Nationwide Pizza Month: Your Information to America’s Cheesiest Celebration
Oct. 1 marks the beginning of the trade’s busiest season of the yr. This information to Nationwide Pizza Month was successful as a result of it embraced the “enjoyable” of the vacation in addition to the enterprise of it. Should you didn’t use our information this yr, brush up now and get a head begin on Nationwide Pizza Month 2026.
See how the trade celebrated Nationwide Pizza Month.
4. The Nice American Pizza Problem 2025 Outcomes
Whereas Vegas will get a whole lot of the glory, the Midwest is a pizza powerhouse, and the Nice American Pizza Problem at Pizza Expo Columbus proved it. This story garnered large consideration as a result of it highlights the aggressive spirit of regional pizza makers who’re the spine of this trade. The winners aren’t simply present ponies however gadgets that would dominate a Friday night time menu.
View the complete outcomes from Pizza Expo Columbus.
5. Summer time Pizza: My Favourite Season for Toppings that Pizza Lovers will Crave
Seasonality isn’t only a buzzword; it’s a profitability technique. This text resonates as a result of it provides actionable, chef-driven recipes to fight menu fatigue in the course of the hotter months. Everyone knows pizza gross sales can dip when the climate will get sizzling, however this piece highlights methods to lean into summer time produce to maintain tables full (suppose peaches, berries, inexperienced chilies and microgreens).
Get impressed by these seasonal summer time recipes.
6. World Pizza Video games 2025 winners introduced at Pizza Expo
If the Worldwide Pizza Problem is the intense culinary facet of the trade, the World Pizza Video games are the rock ‘n’ roll facet. The Video games are at all times a crowd-pleaser as a result of they showcase the vitality that younger expertise brings to the commerce. It’s pure, unadulterated pizza pleasure, and we want that vitality.
See who took house the gold within the World Pizza Video games.
7. Chicago’s Aurelio’s Pizza proclaims “Pope’s Pizza”
Advertising stunts are a dime a dozen, however when the Holy See provides his stamp of approval to a pizzeria, the world takes discover. However the substance of the story for our readers was about how established pizzerias like Aurelio’s keep related in a crowded market.
Examine Aurelio’s divine advertising transfer
8. Native WA Pizza Maker Turns into First American to Win Prestigious Italian Lifetime Achievement Award
For many years, American pizza was seen because the unruly stepchild of the Italian authentic. However this yr Will Grant, a pizza maker from Washington state and proprietor of Sourdough Willy’s, turned the primary American to win a prestigious Italian Lifetime Achievement Award. For operators grinding within the U.S., this was a victory lap.
Study extra about this historic worldwide honor.
9. Mirko D’Agata, Pizzeria No. 900 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, wins Finest Pizza Napoletana at Worldwide Pizza Problem
Pizza As we speak primarily focuses on the U.S. scene, however our neighbors to the north introduced the warmth this yr. Mirko D’Agata from Pizzeria No. 900 in Montreal taking the crown for Finest Pizza Napoletana was an enormous story. The Napoletana division guidelines are strict, and you may’t conceal behind loopy toppings. It’s about technical perfection.
Examine Mirko D’Agata’s technical triumph
10. 2026 Pizza Business Developments Report
Fittingly, we wrap up with a roadmap for the long run. Our 2026 Business Developments Report is crucial studying as a result of it aggregates information from operators throughout the nation. It dives into labor prices, expertise adoption, and the menu tendencies which might be effervescent up from the underground.
We lined all the things from the rise of automation at the back of home to the dominance of third-party supply. Go forward and obtain the supplemental PDF. It’s the closest factor we have now to a crystal ball, serving to you navigate the financial headwinds and capitalize on the alternatives coming down the pike in 2026.
Get forward of the curve with our 2026 Developments Report.
And, in fact, you’ll want to hold studying Pizza As we speak in 2026. Pleased New 12 months!
