# Take-Out Pizza Price War **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 10, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481 "2010-02-10T21:44:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/1 "2010-02-10T21:44:46Z")
How will the take-out pizza price war likely end? I don’t see any of the national chains folding because of the lower prices. Will prices just return to their previous inflated values? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/2 "2010-02-10T21:53:17Z")
I didn’t realize there was a war going on. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/3 "2010-02-10T21:54:28Z")
Me either. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/4 "2010-02-10T21:56:37Z")
Perhaps it’s localized to the western US? Pizza Hut is offering any pizza of any size for $10 right now. Dominoes is also offering deep discounts on their pizzas. I assumed it was all across the nation… ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/5 "2010-02-10T21:59:11Z")
> [@Wilbo523](#): > > I didn’t realize there was a war going on. > [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Me either. Peace at last! ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/6 "2010-02-10T22:58:00Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > How will the take-out pizza price war likely end? I don’t see any of the national chains folding because of the lower prices. Will prices just return to their previous inflated values? It will end with me having to buy bigger pants. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Poster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Happy\_Poster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Poster)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2010, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/7 "2010-02-10T22:59:02Z")
You supply the pizzas and I’ll supply the war ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/8 "2010-02-11T00:33:43Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Perhaps it’s localized to the western US? Pizza Hut is offering any pizza of any size for $10 right now. Dominoes is also offering deep discounts on their pizzas. I assumed it was all across the nation… The Pizza Hut ad is just stupid - “ **Any size** pizza for $10!” Seriously, how many people will say, “OK, then give me the small one for $10…” They might as well just say, “Large Pizzas - 10 Bucks.” They also have a new Tuesday only deal where the pastas (normally $14) are only $10. ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/9 "2010-02-11T00:37:07Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > The Pizza Hut ad is just stupid - “ **Any size** pizza for $10!” > Seriously, how many people will say, “OK, then give me the small one for $10…” > They might as well just say, “Large Pizzas - 10 Bucks.” I don’t know. If I’m getting a pizza to watch with a football game, I know that I will probably eat the whole damn pizza, regardless of how big it is\*. I therefore might choose to order a medium pizza so that when I eat the whole thing, I feel vaguely healthier about it. \*Because I will also be drinking beer with the pizza, and I will be paying attention to the game, not the food. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/10 "2010-02-11T00:53:57Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Perhaps it’s localized to the western US? Pizza Hut is offering any pizza of any size for $10 right now. Dominoes is also offering deep discounts on their pizzas. I assumed it was all across the nation… The battle is joined here in the South. In addition to the chains you mentioned, Papa John’s and Little Caesar’s have deals running now. The latter happens to be conveniently located on my way home from work, so I pick up a pizza for supper 2-3 times a month. It’s about six bucks and change for a one topping pizza, and they keep a bunch of them “Hot-n-Ready”, so there’s no waiting. The pie is big enough that I usually get two meals, or a meal and a snack out of the deal. ---
**Author:** ![MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MPB\_in\_Salt\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MPB_in_Salt_Lake)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/11 "2010-02-11T00:55:05Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > I don’t know. If I’m getting a pizza to watch with a football game, I know that I will probably eat the whole damn pizza, regardless of how big it is\*. I therefore might choose to order a medium pizza so that when I eat the whole thing, I feel vaguely healthier about it. > > \*Because I will also be drinking beer with the pizza, and I will be paying attention to the game, not the food. If it were me, I would order the large, put half right in the fridge (to keep from overeating ;)) and thereby have a second meal a few days later for the same money… ---
**Author:** ![Rumor\_Watkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@Rumor\_Watkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rumor_Watkins)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/12 "2010-02-11T01:16:02Z")
to answer the OP: no prices won’t increase. pie size will just keep decreasing. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/13 "2010-02-11T02:26:53Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > Perhaps it’s localized to the western US? Pizza Hut is offering any pizza of any size for $10 right now. Dominoes is also offering deep discounts on their pizzas. I assumed it was all across the nation… Not here (Florida)-what is this “price war” of which you speak? The other day I got a medium 2 topping regular from Papa John’s for $15 (plus $3 tip)… ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/14 "2010-02-11T02:54:05Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Not here (Florida)-what is this “price war” of which you speak? The other day I got a medium 2 topping regular from Papa John’s for $15 (plus $3 tip)… You tip for take-out? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/15 "2010-02-11T03:15:12Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Not here (Florida)-what is this “price war” of which you speak? The other day I got a medium 2 topping regular from Papa John’s for $15 (plus $3 tip)… Don’t forget the $2 delivery fee they charge you. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/16 "2010-02-11T03:29:18Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > Don’t forget the $2 delivery fee they charge you. That often does not go to the driver. You should tip as well. I hope the prices stay down, because they were way too high before. ---
**Author:** ![MitzeKatze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@MitzeKatze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MitzeKatze)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/17 "2010-02-11T03:51:35Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Not here (Florida)-what is this “price war” of which you speak? The other day I got a medium 2 topping regular from Papa John’s for $15 (plus $3 tip)… I have been buying the $10 pizzas from Pizza Hut, but their add is a little misleading. They say, “Any pizza, any size, any crust…” but then add that stuffed crust is extra (so then it’s not _any_ crust, duh). And a while ago I got an email from Papa Johns for a $10 pizza special (I didn’t read it far enough to see if they were matching Pizza Hut or not) but now Papa Johns’ special is 3 toppings for $9.00 (with the purchase of a large cheese pizza). It’s not just the pizza places though, almost all the chain restaurants have been doing similar “price wars” due presumably to decreased sales. Red Lobster is doing a full meal for two for $30 and Applebees, Chilis, On the Border, TGI Fridays etc. all have similar specials right now. I was reading an article about it on MSN a few weeks ago and they listed what each company was offering and noted that they are all “limited time only” offers but no end date has been given. So if it works well enough to increase sales to the previous levels I would expect the prices to inch back up to “normal” shortly thereafter. ---
**Author:** ![pope\_hentai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@pope\_hentai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pope_hentai)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/18 "2010-02-11T07:34:28Z")
former chain pizza manager here. the material cost to make a 14 inch pizza is like 2 or 3 bucks. prices can get lower. i hope one of em chokes on it. ---
**Author:** ![palacheck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e57/32.png) [@palacheck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/palacheck)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/19 "2010-02-11T10:32:02Z")
The manager of a smallish pizza chain told me that it cost his restaurant around $1.75 per **large** pizza. OVER 16 INCHES of pizza for less than the price we peons pay for a Big Mac. I thought only movie theaters had the balls to charge those kinds of outrageous prices. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481/20 "2010-02-11T11:43:45Z")
Is that cost for the ingredients, or does it include rent, insurance, utilities, salaries, taxes, and whatever else a pizza joint owner has to pay? Oh yeah, and profit. I’m pretty sure people who have businesses do it in order to have a profit… Frankly, I don’t see where $10 for a pizza is an obscene price. Depending on the size, it’ll make 2 or 3 meals for me, I don’t have to cook or clean up, and frankly, my homemade pizzas aren’t all that great. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/take-out-pizza-price-war/528481.md?page=2)