9 Pizza Chains in the U.S. That Were Brilliant but Then Disappointed

Pizza can now be considered a widely loved food all over the world, yet when it comes to picking our favorites, we are divided. We often argue over toppings, crust thickness, or sauce ratios. Nevertheless, it seems much easier to pick a substandard pizza chain. Some pizza chains don’t deliver the joy that a good pizza brings. Maybe it’s because the crust is too thin, maybe it’s because the toppings are terrible, or maybe it’s because the menu choices are uninspired.

That’s what we’re going to discuss today. We’re going to discuss pizza chains that might make you say “never again.” If one of them has made you suffer, maybe you’ll nod your head in agreement.

1. **Little Caesars**: Quick and cheap, this chain is a popular choice for pizza lovers.Little Caesars originated in Detroit and is primarily about convenience. But convenience doesn’t always mean quality, although people know that.

Some critics point out that the toppings taste cheap and that they can taste that the pizza has been sitting out too long. They tried some wacky things like pretzel crust or Detroit-style deep dish. Bad cheese and a greasy crust do not qualify as gourmet cooking. Fans think it’s worth every penny, and for good reason. Don’t expect a culinary masterpiece from a $5 pie.

2. **Chuck E. Cheese**: Many people associate Chuck E. Cheese with happy childhood parties. It’s more about nostalgia for a lot of people than it is about the pizza itself. But in its current state, take away the nostalgia and things get ugly.

The crust texture is dry and the overall flavor tends to be bland. The cheese and toppings feel like they’ve been forgotten. If you want pizza that satisfies adult tastes, this is not the place for you.

3. **Domino’s**:The pizza chain has a loyal following, but the journey hasn’t been a smooth one. Many people remember the days when pizza crust used to be as tough as cardboard. This led to major changes to the recipe in their kitchen.

While the taste of pizza has improved, consistency of quality is still a concern. So you could have a pie that’s not bad, but the next one feels greasy. Their focus on technique can be distracting at times. If you’re lucky, your local Domino’s will serve great pies locally.

4. **Papa John’s**: Papa John’s vocally declares, “Better Ingredients, Better Pizza.” Many people say somewhat diverse things about this. The main grievances are over the oily crust and the overly sugary sauce. Certain times, these sweet sauces overwhelm all the taste. Pie crusts are one of the menu items chains aim to vary. That does not always go over nicely, though, with consumers. A well-balanced, tasty pizza might not be the best fit for Papa John’s.

5. **Pizza Hut**: Pizza Hut was once the leading competitor in the pizza industry, but its image has plummeted over the past few years. The biggest critique is that pizza now feels overly processed. pie crusts often appear too chewy and toppings seem scarce or poorly distributed on the pie. The crust did better a few years ago, but it alone doesn’t disguise the inconsistency in flavor now. There is something to be missed about Pizza Hut’s dine-in pizzas. However, the pizza’s present troubles themselves often disappoint many.

6. **Cici’s Pizza**: Known for its buffet, Cici’s Pizza is recognized by many as a great affordable place to go. But if you’re just looking for a tasty treat, you may be left disappointed. You may find that the pizza is generally on the bland side. The crust is often not crispy enough, as well as the toppings on the pizza are often not prominent enough. Sure the quantity and variety is appealing to some who are looking for a lot of food, but the lack of flavor can make it hard to come back.

7. **California Pizza Kitchen**: The California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) is a place that used to be a favorite. Unfortunately, recently many people feel that it has lost much of its charm. Critics say that its quality has declined from what it used to be. Many mention that the crust now lacks flavor. The toppings sometimes feel overly complicated, and the fashion sense is there, but it doesn’t feel well thought out.

This is a disappointment to those who like the CPK style. The diversity of the menu is still appreciated, despite the frequent problems encountered. Unfortunately, however, CPK seems to promote the brand more than it controls the quality of the pizzas. Frankly, this is where things start to get a little worse.

8. **Sbarro**: Remember Sbarro in the mall food court? We think it’s a quick savior for pizza needs, but coming out fast doesn’t always mean it tastes good. Many say their pizzas have thick, doughy crusts that are more like thick bread. The toppings look sparse and not evenly distributed at all. Many people complained that the pizza wasn’t hot enough.

Nostalgia may cause you to patronize Sbarro on occasion, but today’s flavors rarely evoke old memories. The flavors seem to be getting old and not keeping up with expectations. Interestingly, Sbarro comes into play every time people say when there is nothing else nearby. However usually after eating it, you won’t want this pizza again.

9. **Jet’s Pizza**: Jet’s Pizza is known for its deep-dish pizzas and rich crusts, right? Of course, Jet’s Pizza still has a lot of loyal fans today. But not everyone seems to like their style all that much. Critics often point out that the pizza crust is sometimes too greasy. The cheese isn’t always as flavorful. In addition, the sauce sometimes lacks the acidity that tomatoes should have, and some people think it tastes too sugary instead.

These days, this assembly line approach to pizza making usually results in hurried labor at the price of quality control, therefore compromising the personalized feel they promise you. Yes, it works for fast-food. Real pizza, however, is unfortunate in many cases not meeting expectations.

Related posts:
America’s Most-Hated Pizza is a Michigan Original
The Worst Burger Chains in America
Montana’s Most Unusual Pizza Joint Also Happens to Be Its Worst