{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"166283","rtpr_id":"nGNX17zq5q-20261012","ticker":"SFD","exchange":"NASDAQ","all_tickers":["SFD"],"title":"National Pizza Month Survey: Americans Will Go to Great Lengths for the Perfect Pizza","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-10-12T12:00:00.204Z","article_body":"SMITHFIELD, Va., Oct. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- October is National Pizza\nMonth, and Americans have made one thing clear: when it comes to a great\npizza, topping preferences rise to the top. New research from Smithfield\nCulinary\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Zl7jehh4bgem-gvEUL1YcMgptkpIuNruimVcYIKA9EmimUGTON-EeqkgmBAl8aCeHR5NnNN-tHYI2dZtt5ER2X2b39pWmfaX-tQJbsIZ2ng=)\nreveals that 46% of pizza consumers say toppings are the most important\ncomponent of a great pizza, far outpacing crust, sauce and cheese.\n\nSmithfield Culinary’s latest Guest Check survey, conducted among 2,000 U.S.\nconsumers who order pizza at least once per month, uncovers just how seriously\nAmericans take their pizza. From pizza tourism to debates over the pizza\nstyles, pizza provokes strong opinions, passionate preferences and ample\nloyalty across the country.   \n\n\n\nAnd while pizza preferences may vary from one region – or even one dinner\ntable – to the next, the survey shows that toppings are at the heart of what\nconsumers consider a great pizza.\n\n“For pizza lovers, toppings aren’t playing a supporting role – they’re\nthe star of the show,” said Melina Piroso, pizzaiola at The Pizza Bandit in\nDenver. “People build their whole pizzas around the toppings, and right now,\nwe’re seeing a growing love for flavor-packed pizzas loaded with quality\nmeat.”\n\nKey Findings:\n\nToppings Rise to the Top.\n* 46% say toppings are the most important component in making a pizza great.\n* Nearly one-third (30%) put crust first, while relatively few say sauce (13%)\nor cheese (11%) are the single most important component.\n* Quality beats out quantity when it comes to what matters in pizza toppings\nto create a great pizza, with 37% saying great pizza is all about the quality\nof the toppings and just 18% saying it’s about the quantity of the toppings.\nPizza is Worth the Trip.\n* Eight in 10 (79%) pizza consumers have made a special effort to try a\nparticular pizza, including making detours and day trips, waiting in long\nlines and incorporating pizza into their travel plans.\n* 25% have traveled 25 miles or more to eat pizza or visit a particular pizza\nrestaurant.\n* When traveling, one in four (25%) pizza consumers seek out regional pizza\nstyles.\nPizza is Personal.\n* 82% of Gen Z pizza consumers have gotten into a friendly debate about which\npizza style is best.\n* Just under half of pizza consumers say your pizza topping choice could be a\nromantic red flag, with 45% saying they’d think twice about dating someone\nwho likes pineapple on their pizza.\nThe More Meat, The Better.\n* 59% said someone stole a slice of their meat-topped pizza after they ordered\nthe veggie pizza.\n* 27% of pizza consumers identify as Meat Maximalists – and this appetite\nfor meat-loaded pizza spans equally across all generations.\n* More than nine in 10 (93%) pizza consumers say pepperoni will never go out\nof style.\n* Pepperoni and sausage are the ultimate power couple, with about half (49%)\nof pizza consumers citing sausage as their favorite pairing with pepperoni,\nfollowed by extra cheese (30%), bacon (27%) and mushrooms (27%).\n“The survey results uncover a clear opportunity for operators to upgrade\ntheir pizzas, and toppings are where they can set themselves apart most,”\nsaid Drew Calvert, director food service marketing for Smithfield Foods.\n“Today’s consumers want bold flavors and high-quality ingredients, and the\noperators that deliver both will stand out and build customer loyalty.”\n\nMargherita(®)\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=KT-wN3akxLRw4K0ApJJPyUvpMWQGhrgNE235wXgWG9xjwLacsdWMuOxwlsgNJuVXIgypXIsFa5NuiQpeN1qw1rvY-284WWS23EWS-lg0zxLYbzirI1bQolpif9s6M8sM),\nmaker of premium traditional and specialty Italian meats, is a Smithfield\nCulinary brand that serves both retail and food service segments. From\ntrimmed-to-perfection fresh pork to a full line of fully cooked products ready\nto heat and serve, Margherita offers quality, any-daypart versatility designed\nto bring unique flavors to all your recipe creations. To learn more about\nMargherita products, pizza trends, menu inspiration and more insights to\ncreate unforgettable pizza, visit Margherita Pizza Town\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=ePXmPAguz0xNnU9unEq4v8W_87ybFW-bxjwlr0nMrbCBQGivM_ztX2QCiRfhZPh0jdEK7P3HbHv4qhUEX30iXyTXgNMmwi3coKFcHLxJXil0A8MeMavnwtFR1h98g_IY).\n\nFor more information on Smithfield Culinary and Guest Check surveys, which\nprovide consumer insights that help operators optimize opportunities to better\nserve their patrons, visit smithfieldculinary.com/patron-research/\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=G1cCj7gTLOOkGwseRMzfhc06jggxAxCtLSPy8RBgpkJYYYwwKHtrJdVXFU8wr_PcYMq40R6dyRbIiwOPDZr1z1quSXRz8eLQfUU5S2SmSZ9uT0YfJZMjPLAv_0i76woV9ilviseLqCxlCb3V34_teOFHufUZSDp9xYsdIiDsyF4=).\n\nSurvey Methodology\n\nResearch was conducted between Sept. 3–10, 2026, through an online survey of\n2,000 U.S. adults who typically order pizza from a restaurant (delivery,\ncarry-out or dine-in) at least once per month. The margin of error is plus or\nminus two percentage points, with a 95% confidence level.\n\nFAQs\n\nWhat is a Smithfield Culinary Guest Check survey?\n\nSmithfield Culinary partners with credible, third-party research firms to\nconduct ongoing research about consumers’ preferences around the food they\nenjoy away from home, including at restaurants. Guest Check surveys have\ncovered a range of topics, including consumers’ feelings toward pizza,\nsandwiches and breakfast foods.\n\nWhat are the key topics covered in the Smithfield Culinary Guest Check survey\non pizza?\n\nThe survey features data on topics such as pizza toppings, pizza styles, pizza\npersonality types, pizza tourism and generational and regional differences in\nopinions about pizza.\n\nWhat are the key results of the survey?\n\nA full summary of the Guest Check survey findings is available for media and\noperator partners upon request. Key insights are included in the press\nrelease.\n\nHow do Smithfield Culinary Guest Check surveys help foodservice operators?\n\nSmithfield Culinary Guest Check surveys provide proprietary insights that help\nfoodservice operators make informed decisions about menu strategy, limited\ntime offers (LTOs) and specials, marketing plans and recipe development.\n\nAbout Smithfield Culinary\nWith a dedication to culinary arts, innovation, and industry-leading\nsustainability, Smithfield Culinary leverages passionate chefs, culinary\npartners and R&D to produce high-quality products that inspire chefs and\nconsumers alike. Food service brands within the Smithfield Culinary portfolio\nfeature Smithfield(®), Margherita(®), Smoke’NFast(®) and Kretschmar(®).\nSmithfield Culinary is the foodservice business unit of Smithfield Foods, Inc.\nFor more information, visit www.SmithfieldCulinary.com.\n\nAbout Margherita \nCrafted with passion, using the highest standards and traditional techniques,\nMargherita offers distinctive tastes your guests will savor at every meal. The\ncommitted care you put into your menu is matched by our dedication to\nproviding only the finest select meats, which we season, cure and package with\npride, using only the most sustainable practices. From dried, cured prosciutto\nand hard salamis, to capicola and pepperonis in a variety of formats, you can\ntake sandwiches, appetizers, sides and entrees to a whole new level and make\neven the simplest offering exceptional. For more information,\nvisit SmithfieldCulinary.com/Margherita\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Zl7jehh4bgem-gvEUL1YcKDqTWGlTt6G2RZWjD6lfK57uhF2IPh3HayeeMHvXNM2ljs6bl_7prf9IQ4WYsOO6oHIfejLjidW2mUIVFukt4SpWaqYNKpGVbOZhj1TVbP-U4T7FONUCQP7l8lgZ8ti4w==).\n\nMedia Contact: Lisa Ptak\nPhone: 312-623-0479\nEmail: lptak@foodmix.net\n\nA photo accompanying this announcement is available at\nhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae410760-0ab8-44f8-9284-7c722dc2661a\nSmithfield Culinary Guest Check Pizza Survey Results \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae410760-0ab8-44f8-9284-7c722dc2661a/en)\nSmithfield Culinary Guest Check Pizza Survey Results\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX17zq5q-20261012","title":"National Pizza Month Survey: Americans Will Go to Great Lengths for the Perfect Pizza","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"SFD","created":"2026-10-12T12:00:00.204Z","tickers":["SFD"],"exchange":"NASDAQ","article_body":"SMITHFIELD, Va., Oct. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- October is National Pizza\nMonth, and Americans have made one thing clear: when it comes to a great\npizza, topping preferences rise to the top. New research from Smithfield\nCulinary\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Zl7jehh4bgem-gvEUL1YcMgptkpIuNruimVcYIKA9EmimUGTON-EeqkgmBAl8aCeHR5NnNN-tHYI2dZtt5ER2X2b39pWmfaX-tQJbsIZ2ng=)\nreveals that 46% of pizza consumers say toppings are the most important\ncomponent of a great pizza, far outpacing crust, sauce and cheese.\n\nSmithfield Culinary’s latest Guest Check survey, conducted among 2,000 U.S.\nconsumers who order pizza at least once per month, uncovers just how seriously\nAmericans take their pizza. From pizza tourism to debates over the pizza\nstyles, pizza provokes strong opinions, passionate preferences and ample\nloyalty across the country.   \n\n\n\nAnd while pizza preferences may vary from one region – or even one dinner\ntable – to the next, the survey shows that toppings are at the heart of what\nconsumers consider a great pizza.\n\n“For pizza lovers, toppings aren’t playing a supporting role – they’re\nthe star of the show,” said Melina Piroso, pizzaiola at The Pizza Bandit in\nDenver. “People build their whole pizzas around the toppings, and right now,\nwe’re seeing a growing love for flavor-packed pizzas loaded with quality\nmeat.”\n\nKey Findings:\n\nToppings Rise to the Top.\n* 46% say toppings are the most important component in making a pizza great.\n* Nearly one-third (30%) put crust first, while relatively few say sauce (13%)\nor cheese (11%) are the single most important component.\n* Quality beats out quantity when it comes to what matters in pizza toppings\nto create a great pizza, with 37% saying great pizza is all about the quality\nof the toppings and just 18% saying it’s about the quantity of the toppings.\nPizza is Worth the Trip.\n* Eight in 10 (79%) pizza consumers have made a special effort to try a\nparticular pizza, including making detours and day trips, waiting in long\nlines and incorporating pizza into their travel plans.\n* 25% have traveled 25 miles or more to eat pizza or visit a particular pizza\nrestaurant.\n* When traveling, one in four (25%) pizza consumers seek out regional pizza\nstyles.\nPizza is Personal.\n* 82% of Gen Z pizza consumers have gotten into a friendly debate about which\npizza style is best.\n* Just under half of pizza consumers say your pizza topping choice could be a\nromantic red flag, with 45% saying they’d think twice about dating someone\nwho likes pineapple on their pizza.\nThe More Meat, The Better.\n* 59% said someone stole a slice of their meat-topped pizza after they ordered\nthe veggie pizza.\n* 27% of pizza consumers identify as Meat Maximalists – and this appetite\nfor meat-loaded pizza spans equally across all generations.\n* More than nine in 10 (93%) pizza consumers say pepperoni will never go out\nof style.\n* Pepperoni and sausage are the ultimate power couple, with about half (49%)\nof pizza consumers citing sausage as their favorite pairing with pepperoni,\nfollowed by extra cheese (30%), bacon (27%) and mushrooms (27%).\n“The survey results uncover a clear opportunity for operators to upgrade\ntheir pizzas, and toppings are where they can set themselves apart most,”\nsaid Drew Calvert, director food service marketing for Smithfield Foods.\n“Today’s consumers want bold flavors and high-quality ingredients, and the\noperators that deliver both will stand out and build customer loyalty.”\n\nMargherita(®)\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=KT-wN3akxLRw4K0ApJJPyUvpMWQGhrgNE235wXgWG9xjwLacsdWMuOxwlsgNJuVXIgypXIsFa5NuiQpeN1qw1rvY-284WWS23EWS-lg0zxLYbzirI1bQolpif9s6M8sM),\nmaker of premium traditional and specialty Italian meats, is a Smithfield\nCulinary brand that serves both retail and food service segments. From\ntrimmed-to-perfection fresh pork to a full line of fully cooked products ready\nto heat and serve, Margherita offers quality, any-daypart versatility designed\nto bring unique flavors to all your recipe creations. To learn more about\nMargherita products, pizza trends, menu inspiration and more insights to\ncreate unforgettable pizza, visit Margherita Pizza Town\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=ePXmPAguz0xNnU9unEq4v8W_87ybFW-bxjwlr0nMrbCBQGivM_ztX2QCiRfhZPh0jdEK7P3HbHv4qhUEX30iXyTXgNMmwi3coKFcHLxJXil0A8MeMavnwtFR1h98g_IY).\n\nFor more information on Smithfield Culinary and Guest Check surveys, which\nprovide consumer insights that help operators optimize opportunities to better\nserve their patrons, visit smithfieldculinary.com/patron-research/\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=G1cCj7gTLOOkGwseRMzfhc06jggxAxCtLSPy8RBgpkJYYYwwKHtrJdVXFU8wr_PcYMq40R6dyRbIiwOPDZr1z1quSXRz8eLQfUU5S2SmSZ9uT0YfJZMjPLAv_0i76woV9ilviseLqCxlCb3V34_teOFHufUZSDp9xYsdIiDsyF4=).\n\nSurvey Methodology\n\nResearch was conducted between Sept. 3–10, 2026, through an online survey of\n2,000 U.S. adults who typically order pizza from a restaurant (delivery,\ncarry-out or dine-in) at least once per month. The margin of error is plus or\nminus two percentage points, with a 95% confidence level.\n\nFAQs\n\nWhat is a Smithfield Culinary Guest Check survey?\n\nSmithfield Culinary partners with credible, third-party research firms to\nconduct ongoing research about consumers’ preferences around the food they\nenjoy away from home, including at restaurants. Guest Check surveys have\ncovered a range of topics, including consumers’ feelings toward pizza,\nsandwiches and breakfast foods.\n\nWhat are the key topics covered in the Smithfield Culinary Guest Check survey\non pizza?\n\nThe survey features data on topics such as pizza toppings, pizza styles, pizza\npersonality types, pizza tourism and generational and regional differences in\nopinions about pizza.\n\nWhat are the key results of the survey?\n\nA full summary of the Guest Check survey findings is available for media and\noperator partners upon request. Key insights are included in the press\nrelease.\n\nHow do Smithfield Culinary Guest Check surveys help foodservice operators?\n\nSmithfield Culinary Guest Check surveys provide proprietary insights that help\nfoodservice operators make informed decisions about menu strategy, limited\ntime offers (LTOs) and specials, marketing plans and recipe development.\n\nAbout Smithfield Culinary\nWith a dedication to culinary arts, innovation, and industry-leading\nsustainability, Smithfield Culinary leverages passionate chefs, culinary\npartners and R&D to produce high-quality products that inspire chefs and\nconsumers alike. Food service brands within the Smithfield Culinary portfolio\nfeature Smithfield(®), Margherita(®), Smoke’NFast(®) and Kretschmar(®).\nSmithfield Culinary is the foodservice business unit of Smithfield Foods, Inc.\nFor more information, visit www.SmithfieldCulinary.com.\n\nAbout Margherita \nCrafted with passion, using the highest standards and traditional techniques,\nMargherita offers distinctive tastes your guests will savor at every meal. The\ncommitted care you put into your menu is matched by our dedication to\nproviding only the finest select meats, which we season, cure and package with\npride, using only the most sustainable practices. From dried, cured prosciutto\nand hard salamis, to capicola and pepperonis in a variety of formats, you can\ntake sandwiches, appetizers, sides and entrees to a whole new level and make\neven the simplest offering exceptional. For more information,\nvisit SmithfieldCulinary.com/Margherita\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=Zl7jehh4bgem-gvEUL1YcKDqTWGlTt6G2RZWjD6lfK57uhF2IPh3HayeeMHvXNM2ljs6bl_7prf9IQ4WYsOO6oHIfejLjidW2mUIVFukt4SpWaqYNKpGVbOZhj1TVbP-U4T7FONUCQP7l8lgZ8ti4w==).\n\nMedia Contact: Lisa Ptak\nPhone: 312-623-0479\nEmail: lptak@foodmix.net\n\nA photo accompanying this announcement is available at\nhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae410760-0ab8-44f8-9284-7c722dc2661a\nSmithfield Culinary Guest Check Pizza Survey Results \n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae410760-0ab8-44f8-9284-7c722dc2661a/en)\nSmithfield Culinary Guest Check Pizza Survey Results\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-12T12:00:00.304120037Z","server_sent_at_ms":1791806400304},"received_at":"2026-10-12T12:00:00.377Z","source_url":null},"analysis":{"id":"154646","press_release_id":"166283","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Food Products","sector":"Consumer Staples"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"other","narrative":"Smithfield Culinary released a National Pizza Month Guest Check survey of 2,000 U.S. pizza consumers showing toppings are the most important component of a great pizza, cited by 46% of respondents.\n\nThe survey highlights strong consumer appetite for meat toppings, with 27% identifying as Meat Maximalists and 93% saying pepperoni will never go out of style.\n\nThe release is marketing material for Smithfield's foodservice brands, framing toppings as a menu differentiation opportunity for restaurant operators; it contains no financial results or guidance.","sentiment":"neutral","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Promotional consumer survey supporting Smithfield's meat-topping foodservice push -- marketing noise, suppress."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"survey_sample_size":2000,"meat_maximalists_pct":"27%","toppings_most_important_pct":"46%","pepperoni_never_out_of_style_pct":"93%"}},"quotedText":"\"The survey results uncover a clear opportunity for operators to upgrade their pizzas, and toppings are where they can set themselves apart most,\"","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Melina Piroso","role":"pizzaiola at The Pizza Bandit"},{"name":"Drew Calvert","role":"director food service marketing, Smithfield Foods"},{"name":"Lisa Ptak","role":"media contact"}],"products":["Margherita","Smoke'NFast","Kretschmar"],"companies":[{"name":"Smithfield Foods, Inc.","ticker":"SFD","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Smithfield Culinary","relationship":"foodservice business unit of Smithfield Foods"},{"name":"The Pizza Bandit","relationship":"mentioned"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":1,"reasoning":"Promotional marketing survey for National Pizza Month from Smithfield Culinary; no financial results, guidance, or operational changes disclosed."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[],"primary":"SFD"},"globalImportance":8,"audienceRelevance":15,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"mid-cap consumer staples","eventGravity":"promotional survey","issuerAuthored":true}},"event_type":"other","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"neutral","material_impact_score":1,"narrative":"Smithfield Culinary released a National Pizza Month Guest Check survey of 2,000 U.S. pizza consumers showing toppings are the most important component of a great pizza, cited by 46% of respondents.\n\nThe survey highlights strong consumer appetite for meat toppings, with 27% identifying as Meat Maximalists and 93% saying pepperoni will never go out of style.\n\nThe release is marketing material for Smithfield's foodservice brands, framing toppings as a menu differentiation opportunity for restaurant operators; it contains no financial results or guidance.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"survey_sample_size":2000,"meat_maximalists_pct":"27%","toppings_most_important_pct":"46%","pepperoni_never_out_of_style_pct":"93%"}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Melina Piroso","role":"pizzaiola at The Pizza Bandit"},{"name":"Drew Calvert","role":"director food service marketing, Smithfield Foods"},{"name":"Lisa Ptak","role":"media contact"}],"products":["Margherita","Smoke'NFast","Kretschmar"],"companies":[{"name":"Smithfield Foods, Inc.","ticker":"SFD","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Smithfield Culinary","relationship":"foodservice business unit of Smithfield Foods"},{"name":"The Pizza Bandit","relationship":"mentioned"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:5c812bd9e28b810d","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-12T12:00:05.741Z","global_importance":8,"audience_relevance":15,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"mid-cap consumer staples","eventGravity":"promotional survey","issuerAuthored":true}},"durationMs":5326,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}