Why do people buy from large chain pizza shops?

[Stan_Lite]

Just had a pizza from Pizza Hut. I got one of their deals which was a large pizza (13" - I measured it ), 7 chicken wings and 4 small slices of garlic baguette. All of that was £16.49 delivered. It was a very nice pizza and the wings and garlic bread were nice too but waaaay overpriced. I've checked some of the other big chains and they're all similarly priced.

From one of the local independents (from which I've ordered before and their pizza is just as good, if not better), I can get a 14" pizza (so, bigger than Pizza Hut), 5 chicken wings with chips and a free 10" garlic bread - all for only £14.10 delivered. Most of the local independents are similarly priced (although I can't vouch for the quality as I've only eaten from a few).

Basically, I can get more food, of at least as good quality if not better, for less money.

Why are these large chains so successful? People must buy from them again and again - why?

I will never be buying from the big chains ever again - waste of money.

 

[d_brennen]

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[PapaLazaru]

Depends where you live. When I lived in London there was a plethora of independent pizza joints which were far superior. Here in Reading it is just chains so I just don't bother anymore.

If I want a pizza I just get a good supermarket one.

 

[Glaucus]

As most local pizza places are utter trash and only semi editable when intoxicated.
Where I used to live, could get a decent pizza from a pub, where I live now, no chance.

Dominos etc are just reliable and almost always have a 30-50% voucher, making it reasonable price.

Then theirs convienece.
Open from 10am till 5am, Internet ordering, all deliver, accept PayPal etc.

 

[Stan_Lite]

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That probably has a lot to do with it.

As most local pizza places are utter trash and only semi editable when intoxicated.

Maybe where you live but there are loads of good independents around here.

Dominos etc are just reliable and almost always have a 30-50% voucher, making it reasonable price.

Most of the places around here have 2 for 1 deals or special meal deals that equal any of the chains.

Then theirs convienece.
Open from 10am till 5am, Internet ordering, all deliver, accept PayPal etc.

None of the places around here are open until 5 - not even the chains. Also, most of the good independents here are on Just-Eat so I can order online and pay by credit card and all deliver too.

 

[Stan_Lite]

the good place isn't on Just-Eat, so presumably the only way to order is to ring up - that doesn't compare well to the chains, which have websites everyone knows about. I used to live near it, so could just walk there (Nibbles, in Broomhill, if anyone's wondering).

Maybe where you live that's the case but up here, there are a few good ones on Just-Eat who also do special deals.

I suppose a lot depends on where you are.

 

[jackthezipper]

Never buy from pizza hut/dominoes.

My local chippie rolls out the dough fresh and makes a good pizza.
Some local places buy cheap ready made bases for pizzas though are generally awful.

 

[Kanifee]

I refuse to buy from the big boys, my local takeaway makes excellent Indians, pizzas and when im really really drunk kebabs. there food is superior to any other i have eaten at, they are on just eat so are convenient although i do like to collect as i can have a little bit of banter with the owner which always results in freebies like extra sauces, poppadoms and even naan breads so it has a personal connection between me and the people who supply my food which is never a bad thing.

There meal deals are fantastic too, any 10" pizza, kebab with pitta bread (they do one with naan), chips & salad and 2 cans of pop for £8, 2x 12" pizzas and 2l bottle of pop £9.95, even there currys are any curry + pilau rice and a pepsi for £5. most takeaways there curry cost a fiver on its own so pretty good deals and as i said the food is fantastic. I wouldn't eat anywhere else!

all this being said its useless if your local takeaways are trash so there will always be a market for the large chains to profit from.

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

I like to make my own pizzas from time to time.
I realise this is no use if you are feeling lazy, or you are drunk and want some food, but a home made pizza isn't 3000 calories either!

A large Pizaa Hut pizza with cheesey bites and various meat toppings has more calories than one person should eat in an entire day!

 

[lewism]

Probably because most chains are run like proper businesses with the associated overheads. I'm not saying all indys do but theres been a few round this way busted for having the family working in there, illegal immigrants, dodging the tax etc. There are some good ones round here, there are also ones that buy the cheapest pizzas from the cash and carry and charge you £7 for the privilege.

That and the majority of Huts have big properties to take care of and they are franchised.

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

Probably because most chains are run like proper businesses with the associated overheads. I'm not saying all indys do but theres been a few round this way busted for having the family working in there, illegal immigrants, dodging the tax etc. There are some good ones round here, there are also ones that buy the cheapest pizzas from the cash and carry and charge you £7 for the privilege.

That and the majority of Huts have big properties to take care of and they are franchised.

Cici's Pizza in the USA is circa $6.50 for all you can eat Pizza and all you can drink from the coke etc. dispensers and they haven't gone bust and that is pretty much all they have to offer!

I have no idea what Pizza hut make as profit but I bet their overheads and ingredients are quite small.

 

[d_brennen]

It's fancy cheese on toast. If you can't break even selling cheese, bread and a few toppings you have no place doing any business tbh

 

[SilverTongue]

Depends where you live. When I lived in London there was a plethora of independent pizza joints which were far superior. Here in Reading it is just chains so I just don't bother anymore.

If I want a pizza I just get a good supermarket one.

Seem to remember a half decent indy down Oxford Road, that still there? Luckily in Farnborough there is a couple, though with the offers Papa Johns works out cheaper.

 

[sketchytom]

if you have had a pizza from my local places. every bite is accompanied with a gallon of grease falling down your chin.

although i cannot fault their chicken and chips

 

[Haze]

would sooner go to papa johns than a local anyday

 

[99Androidguy777]

If you live in Ireland you can get a large pizza with 4 toppings at Apache pizza for only 9 euros.
They are just as good as Papa John and pizza hut.
http://www.apache.ie/menu.htm

Especially cheap if your picking it up yourself.
But yeah I have stopped buying pizzas in takeaways..
I am learning to make my own bases and pizza base sauce.

 

[Squink]

I have no idea what Pizza hut make as profit but I bet their overheads and ingredients are quite small.

I know a lad who used to work for Pizza Hut and he told me they made 1200% on the cost of making the pizza, which is presumably the physical ingredients. This data is also 12 years old, but I doubt it's changed much.

In my area of Sunderland I can choose from literally a dozen places that will provide two massively well topped, freshly made, 12" delivered pizzas with a 10" garlic bread for about £14. No need to ever buy cheese on toast from a big chain charging twice as much,

 

[OpenToSuggestions]

I know a lad who used to work for Pizza Hut and he told me they made 1200% on the cost of making the pizza, which is presumably the physical ingredients. This data is also 12 years old, but I doubt it's changed much.

In my area of Sunderland I can choose from literally a dozen places that will provide two massively well topped, freshly made, 12" delivered pizzas with a 10" garlic bread for about £14. No need to ever buy cheese on toast from a big chain charging twice as much,

Every time I ring up Pizza Hut I lie and say I have a 50% of voucher.
If the delivery boy ever got in a strop over me not having a voucher I would tell him where to stick his £19 Pizza and I would order elsewhere!
I don't mind paying £10 for a big name pizza chain delivered pizza, but knocking on £20 for one pizza they can **** off.

 

[99Androidguy777]

Every time I ring up Pizza Hut I lie and say I have a 50% of voucher.
If the delivery boy ever got in a strop over me not having a voucher I would tell him where to stick his £19 Pizza and I would order elsewhere!
I don't mind paying £10 for a big name pizza chain delivered pizza, but knocking on £20 for one pizza they can **** off.

So this has always worked for you ? thats pretty awesome.

 

[krooton]

I know a lad who used to work for Pizza Hut and he told me they made 1200% on the cost of making the pizza, which is presumably the physical ingredients. This data is also 12 years old, but I doubt it's changed much.

But then you have staff fees, property costs, advertising fees, and other things that indies have less of or none at all.