If the recent Pentagon’s Pizza Index banter is anything to go by, pizza is the culinary equivalent of a team huddle: no-fuss, no-cutlery, endlessly shareable when working hours spill over into extra time. Whether it’s thin crust or deep dish, paneer tikka or pineapple, pizza brings people together – a peace offering wrapped in cheese. More than just food, it’s a ritual: a break from screens, a debate over toppings, a moment of solidarity even when the project is in chaos or a conflict is unfolding on the screens, as in case of the Pentagon. So much so that TV shows often feature a scene that depicts pizza time at the office.

The business of office pizza

According to Data Intello, the global office lunch service market was valued at approximately $15.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around $30.5 billion by 2032. Given the dominance of pizza in QSR (67%), and its popularity as lunch, it’s reasonable to estimate pizza makes up 10-20% of office lunch spending. Euromonitor reports that of the $150-billion global pizza market in 2024, office lunch services accounted for $360-720 million. Food delivery apps also confirm that it’s the most ordered office meal worldwide.

United in diversity

From Naples to Nairobi, the dish has evolved to match local tastes: In India, paneer tikka and tandoori chicken are now staples; in South Korea, you’ll find sweet potato mousse and corn on top; in Brazil, green peas are standard, and in the US, debates still rage over pineapple.

In cultures where solo eating is the norm at work – in many Southeast Asian countries, like Japan, for instance – quick small bites work better than a whole pizza. These include bowl meals – poke bowls and bibimbap – sandwiches and wraps (or the kathi rolls in India) and pasta and noodles, and a host of healthier options (including vegan and fruit bowls).

When it comes to group meals, though, pizza remains a global hit – easy to share, customisable, and re-heatable. In India, most pizzas are orde-red during the evening hours, particularly between 7pm and 11pm. This period aligns with dinner time and overtime, according to restaurantindia.in.

Pizza: A staple on TV

Hugely popular sitcoms revolving around the workplace have often featured pizza in office settings, using the dish as a symbol of bonding, chaos, comfort, or even bribery.

• The Office: Pizza is practically a recurring character in the popular sitcom. In the Launch Party episode of Season 4, Michael orders a ridiculous amount of pizza from Alfredo’s Pizza Café — mistaking it for Pizza by Alfredo – a rival pizzeria hated by everyone.
• Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Pizza is a part of stakeouts, celebrations and late-night paperwork in many episodes of this
• police sitcom.
• 30 Rock: Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) is powered by pizza in this popular sitcom; she’s seen eating cold office pizza for breakfast, hoarding slices during late writing nights, and even stealing pizza from the intern.