Pizza has always been a canvas for creativity, but today’s consumers – especially Gen Z and Millennials – are craving something more than just pepperoni and cheese. In fact, 1 in 3 Gen Z and Millennial pizza consumers are interested in mashup pizzas that combine familiar staples with the beloved pizza format.1
This trend taps into a powerful culinary sweet spot: comfort meets curiosity. By blending recognizable flavors with pizza, you can offer something that feels both exciting and safe, perfect for adventurous eaters who still want a taste of home.
Why It Works
Mashup recipes succeed because they’re rooted in nostalgia and flavor familiarity. A taco pizza, for example, brings together seasoned beef, shredded lettuce, and salsa on a crispy crust – delivering the essence of Taco Tuesday in a new, shareable format. Cuban-inspired pinwheels might feature roast pork, pickles, and mustard wrapped in pizza dough, offering a bold, snackable twist on a classic sandwich. And these combinations aren’t just fun – they are also strategic, allowing you to tap into regional comfort foods and reimagine them in pizza form.
Small Portions, Big Impact
Another smart way to ride the mashup wave? Offer smaller formats like pinwheels or pizzettas. These bite-sized options cater to snacking behavior, which is especially popular among younger consumers. Smaller portions also encourage customers to sample something new without committing to a full pie. And if they love it? They’ll be back for more.
How You Can Get Started
- Look Local: Identify comfort foods that resonate in your region and brainstorm how they could translate to pizza.
- Start Small: Test mashup flavors in limited-time offers or snackable formats to gauge interest.
- Tell the Story: Highlight the inspiration behind each mashup – whether it’s a hometown favorite or a cultural classic – to deepen customer connection.
Mashup pizzas aren’t just a trend – they’re a flavorful opportunity to innovate while staying grounded in what customers love. By blending the familiar with the unexpected, you can create craveable experiences that keep guests coming back slice after slice.
Marketing Your Mashups
Be sure your customers know about your mashup options with support from Grande. For Grande 100-Percenters, access new mashup themed stickers for use on take-out and delivery packaging and social media content to spread the word online. Order yours here!
- 2024 Datassential Pizza Keynote ↩︎
