New Survey Finds America's Most Overpriced Pizza Chain, and It's Not Domino's or Pizza Hut

A new survey conducted by ACE.com has revealed the most overpriced pizza chains in the United States, as well as the American cities in which it’s most expensive to order a takeout pizza.

You Probably Haven't Heard of the Most Overpriced Pizza Chain

Hot on the heels of National Pizza Day, which fell on Feb. 9, ACE’s survey analyzed nearly 250,000 Google reviews for pizza restaurants in 30 major American cities in order to determine which chains generated the most complaints about pricing. The ranking was then based upon the number of price-related complaints per 1,000 customers.

'Good Pizza, But Overpriced'

Topping the list was Midwest buffet Pizza Ranch, which averaged 73 price-related complaints per 1,000 customers. Round Table, which averaged 71 complaints per 1,000 customers based on the data reviewed by ACE, placed second. Round Table’s placement is notable in part because it’s the restaurant with the second-smallest footprint of those polled. It numbers only 380 locations in nine states, second only to Mountain Mike’s (eight states); and well below other chains on the list, such as Domino’s (52 states) and Papa Johns (50 states).

“While many reviewers praise the quality of ingredients at Round Table, pricing appears to be a recurring concern,” the report read. “One customer wrote, ‘Good pizza, great space, but very overpriced,’ while another noted, ‘Round Table is mega overpriced — even though it doesn’t taste that bad.”

Sbarro and Godfather’s Pizza tied for third place, with each averaging 62 price-related complaints per 1,000 customers. However, Sbarro has the lowest average rating (3.36 out of five) of all chains polled, while Godfather’s has a much better rating of 4.19. Fifth place went to Jet’s Pizza, which averaged 56 price-related complaints per 1,000 customers.

Takeout Pizza is Exceedingly Expensive in California

The survey also determined in which cities it’s most expensive to order a takeout pizza, with California dominating the results. San Jose and San Francisco took first and second place, respectively. The average price for a pizza in San Jose is $26.39, while in San Francisco it’s slightly lower at $26.03. That puts the average price-per-slice at $3.30 and $3.25, respectively. 

Chicago, renowned for its deep dish pizzas, took third place with an average pizza price of $24.40. San Diego ($24.09) placed fourth, while Brookhaven, NY, ($21.59) took fifth place. Surprisingly, New York City placed much further down the list at number seven. The average price-per-pizza in the Big Apple is $20.68, with each slice costing an average of $2.59.

"Rising food prices have made takeout a luxury, with eating out no longer considered a small treat but rather a splurge," an ACE.com spokesperson told Men's Journal. "Prices have steadily climbed in recent years, with some establishments even doubling their prices. As American diners continue to pay more for meals, many are choosing to cut back on takeout and turn to cooking at home instead.”