Pizza vs Burger: Which Is the Better Choice?

If your Friday night has often consisted of your family going toe-to-toe in the great pizza vs. burger debate, you are not alone. While both of these comfort food icons offer unmatched versatility, flavor and fun, consumers and brands alike deserve to know how each of these family favorites stacks up in terms of nutritional value, global popularity and overall trendiness.

What is pizza?

Pizza is a kind of baked flatbread that is traditionally topped with tomato sauce, cheese and any number of other toppings that cater to the unique tastes of consumers. While many countries, states and regions have attempted to claim pizza as their own, recorded history suggests that this party favorite first originated in Naples, Italy, where consumers valued fast and inexpensive foods that could help fuel their days. Since then, pizza has made a resounding impact around the world, with different geographic locations putting their own, unique twists on this customizable classic.  

From thin-crust New York slices to Chicago’s deep dish pizza trends, the dish has evolved into countless variations around the world and sparked many a heated debate in the U.S. and worldwide. While classic Margherita pizza trends originally showcased the simplicity of fresh basil, mozzarella, and tomato, modern pizza toppings trends reflect increasingly adventurous consumer palates and align with larger global health and food trends.

What is a burger?

Burgers, or hamburgers, are a classic dish consisting of a ground beef patty between two buns. Much like pizza, hamburgers are highly customizable, as fans can choose to deck out their patties with toppings like cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and a wide variety of sauces. While hamburgers initially originated in Hamburg, Germany, this hearty sandwich has become a cultural staple in American dining over the last 100 years and given way to a never-ending variety of riffs on the classic dish.

Despite being a go-to American meal for nearly a century, consumer intelligence data from Tastewise reveals that burgers are as popular as ever – with social media discussions about burger trends still on the rise. Today’s burger trends spotlight health and innovation. From chicken burger trends to veggie burger trends and everything in between, today’s burger landscape offers an endless number of options for health-conscious diners looking to enjoy a comforting meal without compromising on their health goals or dietary preferences.  

What’s the difference between pizza vs. burger?

While both pizza and burgers have carved out unshakeable places for themselves in the United States food landscape, each of these family favorites bring unique qualities to the table. Here are some of the key differences to know: 

Calorie count

Both pizza and burgers can be high-calorie meals depending on portion size, ingredients and added toppings. The average slice of cheese pizza can run you anywhere from 200-300 calories, with additional toppings adding calories to the mix. The calorie density of burgers can be a bit harder to estimate, as fast food burgers, homemade burgers and restaurant burgers tend to vary significantly in terms of portion size and composition. However, the average homemade burger will likely come in at around 600 calories without sides or added toppings. 

Carbohydrates 

Today’s consumers are more carb-conscious than ever before. Currently, there are fewer low-carb alternatives available in the pizza space, and most pizza products lean carb-heavy due to their bready crusts. Burgers can also skew carb-centric when they are built on traditional buns, but carb-wary consumers can make the switch to keto-friendly burger buns for a lightened up version of their fast-food fave. 

Fat content 

Pizza and burgers are both considered high in fat, as they often combine high-fat protein sources with rich cheeses and fatty sauces. Opting for lean protein sources, reduced fat cheese varieties and other diet-friendly ingredients can help cut the fat content of these popular indulgences and offer more attractive macros to consumers who are watching their waistlines. 

Taste

The best thing about these menu staples is the level of flavor customization they provide. By giving consumers control over their sauces, cheeses and other toppings, both pizza and burgers can be curated to suit each consumer’s unique palate and flavor preferences.

Production

Ease of preparation is often a factor in consumers’ food choices, and the same holds true in the pizza vs. burger decision. Pizza is traditionally baked in the oven, with some restaurants using special stone pizza ovens or other stone-constructed surfaces to enhance the quality of their pies. Burgers, on the other hand, are typically prepared on a grill, stove or blackstone, making them an attractive meal option for home cooks and busy families. 

Pizza and burger trends to know 

Global food trends are highlighting innovation, health and wellness and customization. Pizza and burger trends underscore these larger cultural shifts, with many brands offering new, health-focused takes on these classic foods. Take pizza trends, for example. Market research suggests that some consumers are looking for gluten-free crusts and plant-based cheeses that suit their dietary needs, while others are drawn to gourmet pizza toppings like hot honey, artisanal cheeses and even fresh fruits.  

Burger trends similarly reflect the rise of alternative proteins and global flavors. Veggie burger trends and mushroom burger trends align with growing demand for plant-based products, while spicy chicken sandwiches and fusion burgers keep menus exciting while giving even the pickiest of eaters access to comfort foods they can count on. 

Sales and consumption

One thing is clear: Pizza and burgers have both enjoyed extended stays in the spotlight, and their popularity doesn’t show much sign of slowing down. Here are a few important market stats to know when thinking about the different roles these foods play in U.S. food culture: 

• In 2022, over 2.4 million tons of pizza were sold worldwide. 
• Research from 2023 suggests that most Americans order pizza a few times a month.
• Social media discussions about pizza have increased by roughly 3.5% over the past year.  
• There are over 74,000 pizza restaurants in the United States. 
• Pepperoni is the most popular pizza topping worldwide, though cheese pizza trends are still going strong. 
• The average American consumes almost 3 burgers each week. 
• 38.75% of U.S. restaurants offer burger dishes on their menus.
• Vegan burgers are the most popular dietary adaptation of classic burger trends. 
• Social media discussions about burgers have slightly increased over the past 24 months. 
• Burger restaurants are currently generating over $170 million in annual revenue. 

These statistics demonstrate that both pizza and burgers are billion-dollar products in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean food and beverage companies can rest on their laurels. In order to stay competitive in the face of changing consumer preferences, successful burger and pizza marketing campaigns will need to embrace overarching food trends that emphasize wellness, innovation and variety. 

What is more popular: Burgers or pizza?

As you can see in the data outlined above, pizza and burgers are extremely popular foods in the United States, with most Americans enjoying these dishes on a weekly basis. While it’s hard to compare the popularity of each of these meals directly, cultural trends suggest that pizza tends to be more popular as a group meal, delivery dish or event staple. Burgers, however, are a popular weeknight dinner option and are particularly prevalent in fast food and casual dining environments. 

Which is better: Pizza or burger?

So is there a clear winner between pizza and burgers? Not exactly. At the end of the day, it’s all about what consumers want and need out of their meal, making the choice largely situational. Pizza excels in terms of variety and shareability, but burgers shine as a quick, customizable handheld meal. While veggie burgers used to reign supreme with health-conscious diners, new and emerging pizza products are adding more versatility to the health-food landscape and making the classic food more accessible to those with diverse dietary needs. 

Final thoughts

The pizza vs burger debate isn’t about declaring one superior. Rather, it’s about recognizing how both foods continue to build on their storied success and shape global dining culture in innovative ways. With evolving pizza trends and burger trends, each dish has carved out its place in both everyday meals and major celebrations, making these dishes integral parts of American culture and the larger food and beverage landscape.