Nearly 4 in 5 Americans (79%) Believe Pizza is Better with Pepperoni On It

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03/10/2021 - 08:00 AM

AUSTIN, Minn., March 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, National Pi Day (March 14, 2021) will once again be celebrated by the making and eating of the most enjoyed and desired pie across the country - pizza. A recent survey, commissioned by the makers of Hormel^® Pepperoni and conducted online by The Harris Poll among over 2,000 U.S. adults, reveals that pepperoni is America's favorite pizza topping, with Americans being more than twice as likely to choose it above the next most popular option, sausage (38% vs. 15%). In fact, four in five Americans (80%) say pepperoni goes with pizza like peanut butter does with jelly. A perfect match! With these numbers, it's clear why the pizza emoji has pepperoni on it.

Pizza traditions may be passed on for generations, with the pizza pie becoming symbolic with fun, laughter and gathering with those you love. This is particularly true among millennials (ages 25-40), 81% of whom have nostalgic memories of eating pizza with their family as a kid (e.g., pizza night, pizza parties). The poll also found that nearly half of Americans (47%) say they are more likely to choose pepperoni as a pizza topping when they're enjoying it with friends or family.

"We are happy to hear consumers tell us what we have believed to be true, that Americans love pizza, especially pepperoni pizza," said Shane Ward, senior brand manager. "At Hormel Foods, we believe food has the power to bring people closer together, and as America's No. 1 pepperoni brand, we're thrilled to keep the pizza-making traditions alive for consumers nationwide, even as we remain distanced during the pandemic."

As the country continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to feed ourselves a warm meal at home is paramount. For nearly three-quarters of Americans (73%), pizza has been one of their comfort foods during this pandemic. There's something about curling up on the couch with a pepperoni pizza pie that provides a sense of normalcy on a crazy day. In fact, more than one in four Americans (28%) say they are consuming more pizza during the pandemic than they did before, and nearly nine in 10 (89%) say pizza is one of their go-to pandemic foods. While the ease of having pizza for dinner is appealing, the top reason they say pizza is one of their go-to pandemic foods is simply because they believe it to be delicious (60%).

As the next generation of parents pass on and embrace these fond memories, the joy of enjoying pizza is now matched with the thrill of making pizzeria quality pies at-home. Hormel Foods's survey found close to three-quarters of Americans who are parents of children under 18 (73%) say that making homemade pizza has become one of their children's favorite activities. This percentage jumps to 77% among millennial parents. Regardless of age, almost nine in 10 Americans (87%) say that pizza is a meal that never gets old.

This Pi Day, the makers of Hormel^® Pepperoni are excited to join pizza lovers and consumers across the country in celebrating this delicious day with America's favorite toppings: pepperoni. For more information, visit www.hormelpepperoni.com.

Survey Method: This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Hormel from March 2-4, 2021 among 2,044 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Megan Bell at megan.bell@sharpthink.com.

ABOUT HORMEL^® PEPPERONI
As America's No. 1 pepperoni brand, Hormel^® Pepperoni is crafted using only the best, highest-quality meat and spices, and an old world dry-sausage-making tradition passed down generation to generation from 1891 to today. Hormel^® Pepperoni is the perfect addition to your family's pizza night. With an irresistibly delicious taste, everyone can enjoy — one bag can turn Friday night pizza into a pizza topping family event!

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™
Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $9 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, Hormel^® Natural Choice^®, Applegate^®, Justin's^®, Wholly^®, Hormel^® Black Label^®, Columbus^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three straight years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on Corporate Responsibility Magazine's "The 100 Best Corporate Citizens" list for the 12th year in a row, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.