life on American pizzeria menus. Pizza Hut ( pizzahut.com)
expanded into the category in June with its Firebaked-Style
Flatbreads, which come six to a box with three toppings
for $11.99. The Fazoli’s ( fazolis.com) chain debuted two
flatbread pizzas—the Tuscan Chicken and the Chicken
Margherita—in the “Lighter Options Under 550 Calories”
section of its menu. And Chili’s Grill & Bar was so eager to
introduce its trio of flatbreads—the Margherita, Chipotle
Chicken and California Grilled Chicken—that the company moved the rollout date from June to May. With their
lighter crust and “shareability,” flatbreads appeal to women
in particular, industry observers say.
Men, on the other hand, love beer, which should surprise
no one. The craft brew phenomenon keeps picking up steam
as more local and regional breweries step up to meet rising
consumer demand for specialty ales and lagers in the pizza
restaurant environment. But diners who prefer nonalcoholic
alternatives have some pretty fancy options, too, thanks to the
rise of artisan sodas from companies such as Boylan Bottling
Company, DRY Soda and SIP. “I’m finding a lot of Boylan’s
on tap instead of just Coke or Pepsi,” Wiener says. “We’re see-
ing more of these names pop up in pizzerias that are trying to
distinguish themselves from their competition.”
A Boylan fountain has already earned a prominent spot in
Markham’s Project Pie stores, and its sodas are also served in
Andiamo ( andiamopizzamiami.com) in Miami, Emma’s Pizza
( emmaspizza.com) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Skinny
Pizza ( skinnypizza.com) in Long Island, New York. Though the
company has been bottling since 1891, its recipes (made with
only pure cane sugar—no high-fructose corn syrup allowed),
are a bona fide throwback hit. Other specialty soda companies
specialize in high-end, unexpected flavors, such as Lavender
Lemon Peel, Coriander Orange and Rosemary Lime (SIP) or
Vanilla Bean, Rhubarb and Lavender (DRY).
Meanwhile, gluten-free options continue to sprout up on
pizzeria menus across the country, from delivery and carryout
The rise of artisan sodas has given pizzeria consumers a wide range of
new beverage options.
