We've found the world's BEST pizza chains – which British ones made the cut?

A pizza world tour

When it comes to pizza, some restaurant chains have truly perfected the art, serving world-class flavours that keep us coming back for more. Whether you love traditional Neapolitan-style pies, loaded deep-pan creations or quirky gourmet offerings, there’s a pizza chain out there for everyone. Here we’ve found the brands that are setting the standard across the world, from legendary Italian pizzerias with a cult following to rapidly growing franchises redefining fast food.

Read on to discover the world’s greatest pizza chains – counting down to the one that deserves a spot on your bucket list. 

We’ve based our ranking on the popularity of each chain in its country of origin and abroad, as well as on the opinions of our well-travelled (and well-fed) team. This list is unavoidably subjective. 

29. Smoking Joe’s, India

If you're in need of a quick, tasty and affordable pizza fix in Mumbai and its surrounding cities, Smoking Joe’s is the place to go. Founded in 1993, Smokin’ Joes has dozens of locations across India and has earned legions of fans thanks to its tasty pizzas with a flavour-packed Indian twist. Here you can grab thin and crispy-based pizzas loaded with everything from butter chicken to tikka-spiced paneer and tandoori chicken. Customers can also make their pizzas extra spicy on request.

28. La Porchetta, Australia and New Zealand

La Porchetta is a family-friendly pizza chain that holds a special place in the hearts of generations of Aussies. First opened in 1985 in Melbourne, the brand has grown to become an international franchise, with dozens of restaurants throughout Australia and New Zealand. Crafting a range of pizzas, pastas, salads and mains, the brand prides itself on offering customers a warm, cosy feeling and lively atmosphere. Toppings are pretty classic here, with fans praising the Margherita and spicy chicken pizzas.

27. Papa John’s, various locations

The first of the global big hitters on our list, Papa John's had humble beginnings in Indiana, USA. Founder John Schnatter (the brand is named after him) started out selling pizza from a former broom closet in his father’s tavern, but just three years later, he had expanded to six bricks-and-mortar restaurants. Now Papa John’s is one of the world’s most recognisable pizza chains, with nearly 6,000 restaurants in 50 different countries. The chain is responsible for the largest pizza delivery ever; it once sent 13,500 pizzas to 6,000 construction workers.

26. Boston Pizza, Canada, Mexico and USA

You'd expect a restaurant called Boston Pizza to have some kind of link to Massachusetts, but this historic chain is Canadian born and bred. Founded in 1964 in Edmonton, Alberta, by Greek immigrant Gus Agioritis, it's now a thriving franchise with over 400 locations across North America. Apparently, it was named Boston Pizza simply because Gus wanted to visit the city one day. Working as both a casual dining restaurant and a lively sports bar, Boston Pizza offers yummy pizzas made from hand-pressed dough. Signature dishes include the Spicy Perogy Pizza, topped with sour cream, bacon, crispy potatoes, mozzarella and spring onions.

25. Pizza Capers, Australia

Loved for its diverse menu featuring pizzas made with top-quality ingredients and generous toppings, Pizza Capers was founded in 1996 in Brisbane, Australia, and it's now a successful franchise with over 100 locations. The brand prides itself on the freshness of its ingredients, with signature dishes including Reef & Beef (juicy beef, prawns and bacon, all topped with Hollandaise sauce) and Japanese Teriyaki Chicken. The vegan options are impressive too, with a range of plant-based options, such as the Piri Piri (Not) Chick’n.

24. Telepizza, various locations

Impressively, Telepizza is the largest pizza chain established outside of the US, with over 1,400 restaurants worldwide and a presence in 15 countries. The brand was founded in 1987 in Madrid, Spain, and its slogan, 'the secret is in the dough', refers to the secret dough recipe that gives Telepizza products their distinctive taste. Here you can grab classic toppings like pepperoni and Hawaiian, but the must-order is the Las Brutales pizza, which sandwiches five cheeses between two layers of pizza dough for an indulgent feast that fans rave about.

23. Dodo Pizza, various locations

Although it’s the biggest pizza brand in Russia, Dodo Pizza was established fairly recently, in 2011, from a windowless basement in Syktyvkar. The brand now has over 1,000 locations in 22 countries, including Vietnam, Turkey and the UAE. Dodo Pizza is known for its tech-driven approach to pizza, with a strong emphasis on consistency across locations – a strategy that has helped its rapid expansion. Dodo Pizza has also been recognised for its innovative practices, such as introducing reusable pizza boxes to reduce environmental impact.

22. Pizza Hut, various locations

It may be one of the world’s most recognisable pizza brands today, but Pizza Hut started modestly in 1958 when two brothers borrowed £479 ($600) from their mother to open a pizzeria in Wichita, Kansas. Fast-forward to today, and the brand has over 16,000 restaurants and 350,000 employees in more than 100 countries. Fans love the chain's stuffed crusts – and they also love how far the delivery radius is. In 2001, Pizza Hut became the first company in history to deliver pizza all the way to outer space.

21. Yellow Cab Pizza, various locations

As you may have guessed from the name, this popular brand from the Philippines specialises in thin and crispy New York-style pizzas. Its hefty 45cm (18in) pies are sprinkled with generous toppings, and deliveries arrive in a distinctive yellow and black box reminiscent of New York City taxis. Founded in 2001, Yellow Cab Pizza has gone from strength to strength and now has over 200 restaurants in its home country, as well as global outposts in countries such as the USA and Qatar. One of the most unusual offerings here is the Dear Darla: a unique rolled pizza featuring a thin crust topped with fresh rocket and alfalfa sprouts.

20. Sarpino’s Pizzeria, Canada and USA

Known for its handmade dough, signature sauces and premium Wisconsin cheeses, Sarpino’s Pizzeria was founded in 2001 in Victoria, British Columbia, but it now has dozens of locations across Canada and the USA. A great option for takeout, the chain offers free delivery and is also open late every single day of the year – making it a perfect choice for those late-night pizza cravings. The menu boasts a wide range of pizzas, including numerous vegan options, as well as calzones, pastas, sandwiches and chicken wings.

19. Domino’s, various locations

Domino’s started out in 1960 as a single modest store in Ypsilanti, Michigan, but since then it's reached dizzying heights that many fast food chains can only dream of. As the world’s biggest pizza brand, Domino’s has over 20,900 stores in over 90 countries, and its pizzas are eaten by over a million customers every day. The chain constantly innovates, and customers love the pizza tracker on its app, so you can count down the seconds until you get your pizza. Classic pepperoni is the most popular order, but around the world you can find toppings ranging from banana to octopus.

18. Pizza Express, various locations

There may be trendier pizza chains out there, but Pizza Express holds a nostalgic appeal for generations of Brits – and the UK high street wouldn’t be complete without it. Founded in 1965 by Peter Boizot in London’s Soho, it has grown into an international brand with locations across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Signature pizzas include American Hot (pepperoni with chilli), Sloppy Giuseppe (spicy beef and onions) and the classic Margherita. Dough Balls, a fan-favourite starter, are served with garlic butter.

17. Da Grasso, Poland

The largest homegrown fast food chain in Poland, Da Grasso has been a firm pizza favourite since 1996, with nearly 200 locations around the country. Diners adore the brand's distinctive garlic sauce, as well as the generous size of its 42cm (16in) diameter pies. Must-order pizzas include The Poland, which sees a doughy crust topped with ham, cheese and kabanos (a thin and dry pork sausage). In addition to dozens of pizza options, the chain also offers starters, salads and desserts.

16. Vapiano, various locations

Founded in Hamburg, Germany, in 2002, Vapiano is now a global name, with over 155 restaurants across 32 countries – including Australia, Spain and France. Beloved for its fresh pasta as well as its sourdough pizzas, Vapiano is all about the personalisation: you order what you want, and you can specify your preference (whether that’s a little more garlic or a little less chilli) as you watch the chefs cook up your order in an open kitchen.

15. Mellow Mushroom, USA

One of America's lesser-known regional pizza chains, Mellow Mushroom has had a loyal following for its signature stone-baked pies since it was founded in 1974 in Atlanta, Georgia, by three college friends. These days Mellow Mushroom is a much-loved franchise with over 160 locations across 17 US states. The brand prides itself on its '70s-inspired trippy vibes', with each of its locations featuring original psychedelic artwork. Fans rave about the perfectly crisp and soft crust of the pizzas, plus the signature Mellow red sauce, which makes a perfect base for toppings like kalamata olives and applewood-smoked bacon.

14. Peppina, Thailand

Pizza lovers in Bangkok flock to Peppina, where Neapolitan-style pizza is created to 'strict guidelines' adhering to the rules of the prestigious Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana – which include making dough by hand and only using type 00 flour. Peppina’s pizzas are cooked quickly, at a very high heat, after a lengthy dough-proving process. The pizza chain was named the best restaurant for pizza in Thailand in 2022 as part of the Top 50 Pizza list and now has a number of locations around the country, so sticking to the guidelines is clearly serving it well.

13. Proper Pizza, various locations

The story of Proper Pizza began back in 2002 in Pristina, Kosovo, with one single pizza takeaway location; now it's a global franchise in 24 countries, including New Zealand, the USA and Greece. Fans of Proper Pizza love the crunchy, sesame-enhanced crusts, which undergo a meticulous 48-hour fermentation process to make them light and easily digestible. The brand also offers a highly rated gluten-free pizza base, made from rice, tapioca and cornflour.

12. Debonairs Pizza, various locations

Established in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, by two university students in 1991, Debonairs has grown to become one of the country’s biggest fast food chains. The brand is known for its decadent pizzas, including the hefty Triple Decker (three pizzas stacked on top of each other) and the Cram Decker, which doesn’t just have three layers but also has a crust crammed with extra ingredients. You can now find Debonairs all over Africa, with hundreds of restaurants in countries such as Kenya, Namibia and Zambia.

11. Hell Pizza, Australia and New Zealand

New Zealand’s Hell Pizza is instantly recognisable thanks to its unexpected and edgy Hell-themed branding. Established in 1996, Hell Pizza has become as well known for its controversial advertising campaigns as for its tasty pizza, and it now has dozens of locations in New Zealand and Australia. The menu is varied, with loads of options for veggies, and kids are catered for too with a Little Devils menu. Popular choices include The Fallen Angel, featuring spicy chicken, hot sauce and fresh chilli, and The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, topped with various meats.

10. Kotipizza, various locations

Finnish favourite Kotipizza was founded in 1987 and is the largest pizza chain not just in Finland, but in the whole of the Nordics, with 300 restaurants. The brand hit headlines around the world for creating a pizza inspired by an insult from Italy's former prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. When Berlusconi said that Finns only ate marinated reindeer, Kotipizza responded by creating the Pizza Berlusconi, which was covered with cheese, red onion, mushrooms and – you guessed it – smoked reindeer.

9. Franco Manca, UK

One of the UK’s most loved and recognisable pizza chains, Franco Manca first opened its doors in London’s Brixton Market in 2008. Its founders developed a slow-rising sourdough created from an 18th-century Neapolitan starter, and London pizza lovers soon got a taste for it. These days, the chain has 70 locations across the UK, with big plans for further expansion. The pizzas here are known for being delicious and affordable, with toppings that change with the seasons.

8. Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, USA

The history of the iconic Lou Malnati's Pizzeria dates all the way back to the 1940s, when the eponymous Malnati began working at Chicago's first deep dish pizzeria with his father, Rudy. Decades later, in 1971, Malnati and his wife Jean opened the first Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in a Chicago suburb – and the joint is still family-run to this day. The spot is said to make some of the best and most authentic deep-dish pizzas you can get, and the pies are renowned for their buttery crusts and gooey toppings. You can now find the brand’s offerings at dozens of locations across the USA.

7. 1900 Pizzeria, Brazil

The pizzas are a work of art at 1900 Pizzeria, a small Brazilian chain that's celebrated for its artisanal Neapolitan-style pizzas and top-notch toppings. Founded in 1983, 1900 Pizzeria has 13 locations within the country and consistently ranks highly on the 50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains list; it also won 2024’s award for Performance of the Year. As well as the amazing quality of its pizza, the chain has also been praised for its excellent service and ambience.

6. Pizza Pilgrims, UK

In 2012, two British brothers quit their jobs to go on a pizza pilgrimage in a van through Italy, learning as much as they could about sourcing ingredients and making the best pizzas. They even filmed the journey for an Apple TV series. The pair used the knowledge they picked up on their journey to begin selling Neapolitan-style pizzas from the very same van, now equipped with a pizza oven. This business became Pizza Pilgrims, which now has several locations across the UK and serves up to 50,000 mouthwatering pizzas every week.

5. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, USA

This historic pizzeria is known as the originator of New Haven’s distinctive pizza style, which features a thin, charred and chewy crust, and minimal toppings. Founder Frank Pepe (a young immigrant to Connecticut) started making the pizza he remembered from his Naples hometown in 1925, selling it from a pushcart to immigrant factory workers. These days Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana has grown into a small family-owned chain, with 16 branches in seven states, and the original recipe is still used today.

4. Berberè, Italy

Founded by two brothers from Calabria in 2010, Berberè now has 20 locations in Italy and three in London. Its tasty sourdough pizzas are made from semi-whole and organic flours, and a variety of fresh ingredients reflect each restaurant's surroundings (from salami and 'nduja to Yorkshire sausage). The sauces, too, are to die for: pick from tasty flavours including salsa verde, almond basil pesto, hummus sauce and salsa aioli.

3. 400 Gradi, Australia

Established in 2008, Australian chain 400 Gradi has won endless awards for its tasty pizzas. 400 Gradi got its name for the high temperatures at which its Neapolitan-style pizzas are cooked in a wood-fired oven. Founded by Johnny Di Francesco, who regularly stars on Australian TV shows such as MasterChef Australia, the chain recently bagged a top 10 spot in the world rankings of pizza chains. It's also highly praised for the quality of its desserts, specifically the tiramisù and gelato.

2. Pizzium, Italy

It may be a chain, but the attention to detail that goes into crafting each pizza at Pizzium is astonishing. Founded in 2017 in Milan, the spot now has dozens of locations across Italy. The founders say they want Pizzium to be homely and cosy, like 'being in your grandmother’s kitchen, where you feel at home and you’re sure to eat well'. Its loyal fans certainly agree. The pizzas are inspired by, and named for, different Italian regions; a favourite is the Lazio pizza, combining courgette flowers, salted anchovies and pecorino fondue.

1. Grosso Napoletano, Spain

Scooping the highest honour in the pizza world for the second year running, Spanish chain Grosso Napoletano came top of the 50 Top World Artisan Pizza Chains list for 2024. Founded in 2017 in Madrid, Grosso Napoletano now has 50 locations across Spain and boasts a tasty menu with plenty of vegan and gluten-free options. Its dough is leavened for 48 hours and is cooked in a genuine Neapolitan stone oven for that authentic Italian taste.

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