American Pizza Chains Ranked from Worst to Best

This article was originally published on Lizanest.com

Pizza chains are one of those things everyone has an opinion on—and not all slices are created equal. Some are built on speed and price, others lean into tradition, and a few actually manage to deliver something worth going out of your way for. This list ranks 59 of the most well-known pizza chains in the U.S., from disappointing and forgettable to genuinely great. Along the way, it breaks down what each one does well, where it misses, and why people keep ordering—or don’t.

#60: 7-Eleven Pizza

7-Eleven has been around since 1927 and operates thousands of convenience stores across the U.S. and globally. While it’s best known for snacks, drinks, and quick grab-and-go items, many locations also offer hot foods, including whole pizzas and individual slices.

It lands at the very bottom because the pizza feels like an afterthought. The crust can be stiff, the cheese overly processed, and the overall flavor lacks any real depth. It’s convenient and available almost everywhere, but it’s really only a last-resort option when nothing else is open.

#59: Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese started in 1977 and operates across the U.S. as a family entertainment chain built around arcade games, birthday parties, and pizza. It’s less of a traditional restaurant and more of a kid-focused experience, where the food is almost secondary to the atmosphere.

What puts it at the very bottom is pretty simple—the pizza just isn’t the draw. While it serves its purpose for parties, the quality is widely seen as forgettable, with bland sauce and uneven texture. It works if you’re there for the games, but almost no one is going out of their way for the pizza itself.

#58: Cicis

Cicis was founded in 1985 and is best known for its all-you-can-eat pizza buffet format, with locations mainly across the South and Midwest. It leans heavily on value, offering a wide variety of pizzas, pastas, and desserts at a low price point.

This one ranks just above last place because the concept is appealing, but execution can be rough. The pizza tends to be hit-or-miss, often sitting out too long or lacking flavor, and the overall experience can feel chaotic. It’s cheap and filling, but quality clearly takes a back seat.

#57: Sbarro

Sbarro got its start in 1956 and is most commonly found in mall food courts, airports, and travel plazas across the U.S. It’s known for big, foldable New York–style slices that are made for quick, grab-and-go meals rather than a sit-down experience.

It ends up here because convenience is really the main selling point. The slices can look appealing behind the glass, but the quality often doesn’t match—dough can be overly thick, and freshness is inconsistent. It’s fine when you’re stuck in a mall, just not something people actively crave.