June 13, 2008
Pizza: An economic indicator
Who considers pizza an indicator of economic trends? Food industry firm, Technomic, thinks it’s a worthy gauge. Apparently, the number of households that are ordering pizza during the weekend is up, while during the week, it’s down. It’s a signal that consumers are tightening their wallets, Technomic says.
The observation is interesting, and I guess it makes sense.
"Instead of going out for a sit-down meal during the weekend and ordering pizza for dinner during the week, consumers are scaling back by having an affordable pizza meal on the weekend and preparing more weekday meals at home,” said Darren Tristano, an executive vice president at Technomic, based in Chicago.
This year, 32 percent of people reported ordering pizza for dinner during the weekend, while only 29 percent had pizza on a week day.
That’s a difference from the year 2006, when 35 percent of people said they ordered pizza during the week, and 28 percent had it on the weekend, according to the Technomic report.
So, analyze your pizza ordering trends. Do you or your family fit this report?
Comments
[June 13, 2008 9:37 AM]
RichDon't order enough to gauge it as we usually make our own...but I picked up one from Pizza Hut on Tueday...and see why people are slowing down.
$18 for a cheese lovers with bacon? WOW!
[June 13, 2008 2:50 PM]
MichelleWe eat out frequently and I have noticed that restaurant waits are shorter and more tables are empty than usual.
[June 13, 2008 3:44 PM]
RebeccaI'm with Rich. My teenage daughter and I had a conversation the other day about why we never order pizza anymore. After raising 2 teenagers I think we got burned out on it for one thing. Then I discovered I could make everyone happy by making our own at home.
[June 13, 2008 10:47 PM]
Other JohnWe buy our pizzas from local restaurants here in the NRV, and avoid the national chains always. We get our's from Napoli's in Blacksburg, Bella's in Pulaski, and Troy's in Fairlawn. Otherwise, we hardly ever have pizza because the prices, other than those 3 places, are way too outrageous.
[June 16, 2008 9:42 AM]
TJThere's always a catch with the national chains. And I think that's why my wife and I rarely (maybe once a month) order from them. Sure, you may be able to get a large 1 topping for $12 (for example), but after taxes, drinks, etc, you wind up paying of $20. It's just not worth it anymore.
[June 17, 2008 1:54 PM]
JennyAnother price factor that's important to mention when ordering pizza--the tip for the delivery person! That's another add on to the bill.
[June 25, 2008 1:35 PM]
KathyPrices on pizza delivery are outrageous, even with coupons! And picking it up yourself on the way home is not much cheaper. I've found that if you either buy the ready-made ones (Ukrop's, Krogers, Fresh Market) they are better and you can add more toppings, or just buying the ready-made crusts and adding your own toppings are just as good and cheaper too.
[June 26, 2008 8:20 AM]
HenryWe just make our own pizzas now. It's cheaper and more fun.
[June 26, 2008 10:15 PM]
JennyKathy, Which ready-made pizzas do you think taste the best, since you mentioned that you have bought them at several stores? Adding toppings is a good idea.