Customers Say These Are 10 Of The Most Overrated Pizza Chains

Pizza is easily one of the most popular meals in the country. In fact, one food survey by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on pizza consumption in the U.S. showed that around 11% of Americans will have a slice on any given day. And it's not hard to understand why people would reach for a hot (or cold) piece of the saucy, cheesy, hand-held pie; pizzas are endlessly customizable and convenient, not just because you can grab a myriad of frozen options, but because plenty of regional and national chain pizzerias can create a pie for you in minutes.

That same USDA study showed that over half of the pizzas being eaten came from a restaurant, making it even easier for customers to get dinner fast. But what happens when the pizza shops in your area show signs they just aren't that great? There's a saying that even bad pizza is still pretty good, but not everyone agrees with that. 

We wanted to find out which chains customers don't believe are worth visiting. From pies that cost too much compared to their value to poor quality ingredients to just plain bad service, this list covers the pizza restaurants with more than a dozen locations that just aren't worth your time.

Papa John's is no stranger to controversy. The founder, John Schnatter, resigned in 2018 after allegedly making inappropriate comments on a conference call, leading the chain to change its logo in an attempt to distance itself from him. While the branding has been updated, the company still includes a single pepperoncini pepper with each pizza as a way to give customers a little something extra. But even that nicety doesn't win over everyone, with many customers complaining about the taste transferring to the pizza crust. 

But diners have bigger problems with the brand than that. Many people say the chain's quality has greatly decreased over the years, with one Reddit user stating, "I got a pizza yesterday, and it is nowhere near as nice as it once was. It's dry, barely any base. It is horrible, and don't even get me started on the dough." Another customer agreed, saying they didn't order from the chain for over a year due to a bad experience. When they decided to give the brand another chance, they were once again disappointed by the poor quality of the dough and the lack of toppings and cheese. 

Pizza Hut is a nostalgic favorite for many, as any child who had a birthday party there in the 1980s or '90s will tell you. But in the decades since then, fans of the chain have found themselves with happier memories than current experiences, as several years of declining sales show. The brand helped put delivery on the map in the mid-1990s, but has largely failed to keep up with the changing times since.

Like Papa John's, multiple people say Pizza Hut's quality has greatly decreased over the years, leading to serious disappointment. One Facebook user said, "It's been forever since we have had Pizza Hut ... I tell you what though ... it wasn't worth the $30 we spent." Other customers echoed this, calling the chain overpriced due to the poor quality and overall cheap taste of the pies. Even the fan-favorite pan pizza has trouble getting praise, with diners noting it no longer tastes the same, partly because the dough is frozen and no longer made in-house. 

Sbarro is a unique chain. Although it's mostly found in mall food courts, the brand also has standalone locations, primarily in the New York City area. While the company no doubt has its fans, most people are familiar with the pizzeria from sitcoms like "The Office" or its less-than-stellar reputation. Aside from a decline in ingredient quality, customers also say the brand is severely overpriced.

Reviewers haven't been impressed with the slices overall. One noted the cheese was gluey, while the dough had no real flavor. One Reddit commenter lamented the taste, saying, "Every time I try [Sbarro I'm] just shocked how salty it is. I'm not a pizza snob, I don't mind chain pizza. But [Sbarro's] has been super salty every single place I tried it." Even food reviewer Dave Portnoy was upset by the chain's quality and price, calling it a $2 slice at best and saying that the company should be ashamed of itself in a video posted on his Instagram review account. He ultimately rated it a 3.2 on his 10-point scale. 

Round Table Pizza is primarily found on the West Coast. It has dozens of locations from California to Washington State, with a few in Hawaii, Texas, and a handful of other places, as well. It was first opened in 1959, and fans of the eatery say it's one of their favorites, with many remembering the place with great nostalgia. Unfortunately, those same diners also say the prices have gone up so much that they no longer eat there. 

One person was disappointed two extra large pizzas cost over $70, while another complained that a $42 regular crust pie came on dough that was so thin it could have been a cracker. Others note that the overpriced orders are often incorrect, with one reviewer saying they spent $120 and didn't receive everything as they should have. Another common complaint has to do with the Round Table mobile app. Customers are frustrated by how difficult the app is to operate, with many reporting that if you navigate away from the order page, the cart will empty. One person had the app confirm their order, only to find out it hadn't been sent to the store when they went to retrieve it. 

It might seem strange to see Domino's on this list, as the chain doesn't have a reputation for high-quality pizzas in general. Instead, it's seen as mid-grade or "whatever" food that's quick, cheap, and convenient. Even after making major changes to its crust and sauce after customer complaints, the brand is primarily known for its value menu deals as opposed to the taste of the pies. Even the side items, such as the Buffalo wings, have customers complaining about the texture and flavor. 

Diners have lamented the lack of sauce on their pizza, saying the pies are just cheese and dough. One Reddit user said, "The sauce tastes as if there are gallons of chemicals in it." Even with the value deals, some people find side items overpriced, such as one person who was disappointed by the lava cake dessert and baked macaroni and cheese, saying they were both overcooked and not cheap — at around $10 each.

If you're not a Midwest native or transplant, you might not be familiar with Pizza Ranch. The chain has over 200 locations and is best known for its buffet, which includes pizza, salads, desserts, and fried chicken. Yes, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy can sit right beside your slices of pepperoni or sausage pizza here. And as it turns out, quite a few customers prefer the chicken to the actual pizza, which many people say is forgettable at best.

The pizza's quality and the brand's rising prices are the primary reasons this chain is called overrated. But customers also report that the buffets at their locations don't have much food on them. One customer said they went to Pizza Ranch for dinner only to immediately leave after seeing there were only a few pieces of a single pizza on the buffet, as well as a few pieces of chicken and no potatoes. Another person noted that they rarely go anymore because of the dwindling buffet items and said it wasn't worth the price to wait for food that doesn't get replaced on the line. 

Godfather's Pizza is another Midwestern-based chain that's expanded to more than 2,000 total traditional and express locations nationwide. Beloved by many Midwesterners for its unique pie-like crust, the chain is also praised for using locally sourced cheeses on its pizzas. But if it's got so many fans, why is it on a list of overrated pizzeria chains? Well, because many people report the quality is declining as the prices are increasing. 

One Reddit user asked what place had the worst pizza in Omaha, and multiple people responded with Godfather's. One person was disappointed by the waxy cheese, and another called it inedible. Others agreed, saying it was outrageously expensive for what they considered terrible pizza. A Facebook user posted about their experience, saying the pie had "barely any sauce" and that there wasn't much pepperoni included. Other customers have lamented getting the wrong pie, with one saying they got a thin crust that was overcooked after ordering a thick crust. Diners have also noted a lack of flavor and poor crust texture. 

Hungry Howie's is one of the smaller chains on this list, with nearly 500 locations. The restaurant began as a delivery and carry-out operation in the early 1970s. Today, there are plenty of dine-in locations, although the brand's sales have declined slightly. Customers attribute that to the dubious quality of the pies and the inconsistency of different franchises.

While most people agree that the different flavorings you can get on the crust are tasty, the crust itself is said to be flavorless without it. The quality of the pizzas is compared with Little Caesars and Domino's, and some even say a regular frozen pizza is better than the Hungry Howie's brand. Multiple customers agree that it's mediocre, but that its cheap prices are attractive.But as the cost of the brand's pizzas rises, more diners are deciding to stop ordering from the chain. 

Opinions on Mountain Mike's Pizza seem to be equally divided into those who love the brand and those who think it's some of the worst pizza out there. Many customers call it mid-tier, with sauce that's too sweet and prices that are too high. People have compared the pies to Totino's frozen pizzas, and one former diner said they were shocked by the prices and poor quality of the food. 

One person, who posted in a Temecula, California, Facebook group, stated, "I just saw that a 20" pizza at Mountain Mike's is now $45-$54. Wowzers." Others have said they prefer other chains because of the prices Mountain Mike's charges, and even those who enjoy the food are disappointed with the lack of toppings they received and the condition of the dine-in location. A lot of the differences customers note come down to the different franchise locations, so if you're interested in the pizza, be sure to check online reviews before you go. 

Jet's Pizza is the only chain on this list that specializes in Detroit-style pizzas. The brand started in Michigan in 1978 and has since expanded across 25 states with nearly 500 locations. Despite winning multiple awards through the years, fans are choosing other pizzerias due to the rising costs at Jet's. One customer reported spending almost $80 on three large specialty pizzas and two large bottles of soda. Another said their family has switched to local options specifically because of the larger chain's prices. 

Diners also say the quality of the pizzas is decreasing. One first-time customer said they weren't going back because no one in their family was impressed with the taste. A reviewer noted that the sauce was overly sweet, while the dough for the thin crust, hand-tossed, and Detroit pies was incredibly bland. 

Deciding which pizza chains should be on this list involved narrowing down dozens of different pizzerias across the country. We had to examine multiple factors, such as the overall customer experience, how many locations each chain had, the value and taste of the items, whether they were regularly available, and the prices. Each chain included on this list had to have at least a dozen locations.

We then searched through social media posts, comment threads, professional reviews, and user review sites. Only the chains with many customer reviews questioning or complaining about the pizza's quality, size, taste, and perceived value were chosen for the final list.