CHICAGO - A new Technomic report reveals that pizza consumption is on the rise, with more than 40% of consumers now eating pizza once a week, compared to 26% two years ago.

The consumption increase is a reflection of menu innovations, including gourmet ingredients and non-pizza items that are driving customer traffic. Still other consumers have been attracted to cost incentives that chains offer as well as economical to-go pizza offerings.

"Consumers increasingly view pizza as the 'go-to' food when they don??t feel like cooking," said Technomic Executive Vice President Darren Tristano. "Operators can emphasize convenience in their marketing message, positioning pizza as an easy, convenient and affordable meal solution that will appeal to an entire group or family. It's a message that resonates with many customers."

To help operators gain an advantage in the pizza foodservice sub-category, Technomic has developed its "Pizza Consumer Trend Report," a detailed analysis that identifies growth opportunities.

Key findings include:

• Combo-meat varieties and calzone-style stuffed pizzas offer growth opportunities at limited service restaurants (LSR), while veggie/garden and combo-meat pizzas have increased at full-service restaurants (FSR).
• Chicken is the top-listed protein topping in FSRs and third most common protein at LSRs.
• Authenticity is gaining in popularity, with menus that emphasize Neapolitan, Sicilian, and other regional Italian specialties on the rise.
• Forty-nine percent of consumers purchase pizza from a grocery store once a month, the second leading foodservice source for pizza, exceeded only by LSRs (71%).
• Carryout and dine-in occasions have seen the greatest pizza traffic increase, with 68% of consumers ordering carryout pizza once a month or more, and 45% who order pizza for dine-in.

For more information or to order the report, visit the Technomic website.