The Papa Johns vs Dominos war has been going on for years. Both of these incredible food chains are known for serving the best pizzas globally. Not only that, but their customer service is also top-notch, and as many people say, it’s even better than Pizza Hut.
When it comes to choosing one over the other, the decision becomes pretty tough. Should you select a Papa Johns pizza, or is Domino’s a good choice?
That’s what we will discuss in this article. Read now to get into a detailed comparison between Papa Johns and Dominos.
History and Brand Identity
Papa Johns Pizza was founded in 1984 by a man named John Schnatter from Jeffersonville, Indiana. The brand took a start from a broom closet at the back of his father’s tavern. Since then, it has been serving top-quality pizzas made with fresh ingredients from around the world. And this is exactly what the brand’s identity is.
Papa Johns is driven by the motto “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza”. This motto focuses on quality toppings and a unique crust, which easily differentiates it from all the competitors. Papa Johns cheese pizza has taken the world by storm, and we can’t blame it.
On the other hand, Domino’s Pizza was founded by Tom Monaghan. He was a former orphan who dropped out of college before he joined the Marines. Later, he and his brother James bought the first pizza shop in 1960 for a whopping $900. They soon expanded their business by opening more stores.
The incredible thing about Domino’s Pizza is that it introduced several innovations that helped change the pizza industry manifolds. For instance, it introduced the 30-minute delivery guarantee, the pizza tracker, and, yes, the Noid mascot.
Domino’s Pizza also became a victim of multiple challenges and controversies. However, the chain reinvented itself in 2009 by recreating its menu, improving its quality, and embracing the latest digital technology.
Today, Domino’s continues to grow its market share by meeting consumer demands and creating the best pizza every time.
Papa Johns Vs Dominos Menu Offerings and Variety
Papa Johns and Dominos both have a rich history with humble beginnings. This is very much reflected in their menus as well. Take a look at the local restaurant in each branch.
Pizza
You may already know that Papa Johns and Dominos both excel at serving the best pizzas.
They both offer a wide range of pizza options, but Dominos has a larger menu. For instance, Dominos has almost 12 specialty pizzas. Deluxe, MeatZZa, Pacific Veggie and Philly Cheese Steak are the most popular ones.
This means that you can get a variety of things from one food chain. And if you don’t like pizzas, you can go for Meltz or chicken strips.
The quality and consistency of pizzas from both chains can vary depending on the location. Therefore, this comparison can’t be made for all the branches around the world.
Crust and Toppings
Papa Johns is popular for offering some great crusts. Most pizzas feature thin crust, stuffed crust, and butternut squash base.
The toppings have a bunch of options available, like vegetables, cheeses, pepperoni, peppers, and olives. This is what makes a good pizza!
At Domino’s, you can get a variety of crusts for your pizzas. The most popular options are hand-tossed, pan, and crunchy thin.
Similarly, with toppings, you can go all out with pepperoni, dynamite chicken, smoked sausages, and whatnot. You can pick your favorite meat options, such as bacon, beef, ham, and salami.
Want a few non-meaty sides? You can get some great options from both chains such as black olives, alfredo sauce, banana peppers and feta cheese.
Sides and Extras
The sides and extras available at Papa Johns are incredible but may vary in different locations. For instance, you can get your hands on delicious chicken rolls, chicken poppers, cheese sticks, breadsticks, and potato wedges.
On the other hand, Domino’s has chicken and chips, cheesy garlic bread, and rolls and wedges, which are some of the popular sides available.
Specialty Items
Each food chain provides a few specialty items. For instance, Papa Johns has some great pastas available at its few branches.
Domino’s has a large variety of Meltz or wraps and some delicious desserts to treat your taste buds. It also has a lot more specialty pizzas than Papa Johns such as Philly Cheese Steak, Deluxe, and Spinach & Feta.
Each restaurant helps you get your favorite extra sauce when required.
Taste and Quality
Now, that’s a tricky area to compare as many people may have different views.
In a taste test, Domino’s Pizza has the most flavor and the best balance of ingredients. Whether you get one or two pizzas, the chain doesn’t disappoint with its service.
Papa Johns pizza is slightly more expensive, and it has the least amount of flavor and seasoning compared to Domino’s.
Some prefer the taste of local, homemade pizza, while others like the convenience of chain restaurants. Domino’s Pizza is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a quick and tasty cheese pie.
Again, for many, this verdict may not be correct. Therefore, we don’t speak for all.
Pricing and Value
The pricing for both pizza chains varies depending on their location, size, and the pizza you order. However, if you talk generally, prices for a standard medium pizza at Domino’s range from $10 to $15.
Some pizzas in deals are available for as little as $7. The specialty pizzas often cost between $15 and $25.
Additionally, Domino’s often has promotions, deals, and discounts that can affect the final price. These deals have run throughout the years, so it is best to check the application and the website to learn about the latest offerings.
Similarly, Papa Johns doesn’t shy away from introducing deals every now and then. You can also get hold of online Papa Johns promo codes to experience discounts when delivering an order online.
However, Papa Johns is slightly expensive, with its medium-sized pizzas starting from $15 and ranging to $21. Make sure that you double-check the prices before ordering, as they keep changing.
Ordering Experience
The ordering experience for Papa Johns and Dominois quite easy. You can pick your language and location so you can be directed to your regional website.
- Although both platforms have good websites, Domino’s is a lot more user-friendly and easy to navigate. To read the details of a food item on Papa Johns website, you will first have to make an account and go through certain forms before ordering.
- Also, according to many customers, Domino’s delivery is quick, with orders arriving on time, while Papa Johns delivery experience can be inconsistent. However, it may not be an issue in your area.
Domino’s and Papa Johns accommodate their customers in every way possible. For instance, you can choose from various crusts and flavors available to create a treat for yourself.
However, if you want to have a more personalized experience, you may like to order from local restaurants or mom-and-pop pizzerias. They are more flexible with their offerings and create deals as per their consumer demands.
Nutritional Information and Health Considerations
Very few people don’t like pizzas, but many who do also make sure to check the nutritional information of each item before buying.
Domino’s Pizza offers a detailed nutritional analysis of every offering on its website. For instance, if you order a Super Cheese hand-tossed pizza, you will get 198 calories per slice. Similarly, the Veggie Feast with Pan medium base gives you 1869 calories.
The website also gives details on the amount of saturated fats, proteins, sodium, and sugar present in all offerings.
Papa Johns doesn’t provide any such information on its website for many regions, which is a huge bummer. However, if you want to have a general idea, a slice of a medium cheese pizza usually has around 230-270 calories. The calories in specialty pizzas and larger sizes may increase.
Both chains have pizzas with high saturated fats and sodium. Plus, if you go for extra toppings, you may find these increase with every slice.
If you are opting for a healthy option at either of the chains, look for pizzas with thin or gluten-free crusts. They are lower in calories and, with vegetable toppings, can be made more nutritious.
Since Papa Johns provides a “Better Ingredients” approach, it ensures the use of high-quality cheeses and fresh toppings for all its offerings. You can also ask for a gluten-free crust and a range of vegetable toppings to make your pizzas healthy.
Customer Reviews
Want to know what most customers have to say about each?
Here are some online reviews of customers who have eaten from both chains. Take a look!
Conclusion: Which Brand is Better?
So, who do you think is better? Should you go to Domino’s, or is Papa Johns the perfect place to eat tonight?
Well, it all comes down to your preference. If you want to choose a pizza from a large menu, Domino’s Pizza should be your pick. Plus, the prices are a lot more affordable than Papa Johns. However, if you want to opt for quality over price, there is nothing better than Papa Johns.
Do you agree with us? If you prefer Papa Johns over Domino’s, it is truly your choice. Many people do, as the chain offers some great options and deals.
Since many factors play a role in making this decision, your choice may be different. But make sure that you don’t let this decision spoil your love for pizza. After all, it is a treat like no other!