Pizza Marketplace Top 100
Cicis Pizza takes No. 1 spot on Pizza Marketplace's 2026 Top 100 Movers & Shakers list
Cicis Pizza took home the top honors as Pizza Marketplace's annual event in Las Vegas; Moto Pizza won a tech award from XRobotics and Pizza Nova's Domenic Primucci was the top executive of the year.
March 25, 2026 by Mandy Wolf Detwiler — Editor, Networld Media Group
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ClaudeCoppell, Texas-based Cicis Pizza didn't just participate in the pizza wars this year — it staged a coup. After a year of explosive growth and digital dominance, Cicis has officially secured the No. 1 spot on Pizza Marketplace's 2026 list of the Top 100 Movers and Shakers.
By blending "endless" nostalgia with high-tech evolution, the brand has proven that a legacy concept can do more than just survive; it can lead the pack. The centerpiece of Cicis' 2025 strategy was the launch of Cicis Rewards. Far from just another loyalty app, the program became an overnight sensation, surpassing 500,000 signups within the first 30 days and hitting No. 1 in the Food & Drink category on the Apple App Store. This successfully turned casual diners into super fans, significantly boosting visit frequency.
A brand with soul
Also, Cicis didn't just update its software; it updated its soul, rolling out a refreshed interior prototype that modernized the buffet experience while leaning into the customizable, fun atmosphere guests have loved for decades. This facelift, combined with a menu that balances nostalgic favorites with trendy new offerings, fueled impressive year-over-year systemwide sales growth.
The brand opened eight restaurants in 2025 and has over 14 agreements in the development pipeline.
"Cicis has mastered the rare art of evolving while staying rooted in value. Their ability to scale digital engagement without losing their 'value-driven' identity is exactly why they are the most influential player in the category today," said Mandy Wolf Detwiler, editor of Pizza Marketplace.
Through a potent mix of operational grit and guest-focused innovation, Cicis Pizza has reclaimed its crown, proving that in the world of pizza, consistency and connection are the ultimate ingredients for success.
Behind the Top 100
To make the 100 list, which includes the top 75 brands and the top 25 pizza industry executives, brands nominated themselves and were vetted by a panel of judges. They measured their growth, use of tech and leadership in the industry. This year's event was sponsored by HungerRush, Momos, Onosys, xRobotics, HIX Corporation and Vivant.
During the event, Washington-based Moto Pizza was awarded the Visionary in Technology Award given by xRobotics for the brand's outstanding commitment to innovation and technology.
Pizza Marketplace's Top Executive for 2026 was Domenic Primucci, president of Canadian pizza company Pizza Nova. Detwiler has frequently praised Primucci's leadership during the annual "Movers & Shakers" ceremonies.
"Domenic Primucci and Pizza Nova embody what it means to be a 'Mover and Shaker' in this industry," Detwiler said. "To maintain a 60-year legacy while staying at the forefront of innovation — from sustainable proteins to community-first leadership — is a rare feat. Domenic's inclusion among our top executives year after year is a testament to his ability to lead with both heart and a forward-thinking vision for the future of pizza."
Nominations for the Pizza Marketplace Top 100 Movers & Shakers 2027 list will open in December.
CLICK HERE to read the full list of 75 top brands and 25 top executives.
About Mandy Wolf Detwiler
Mandy Wolf Detwiler is the managing editor at Networld Media Group and the site editor for PizzaMarketplace.com and QSRweb.com. She has more than 20 years’ experience covering food, people and places.
An award-winning print journalist, Mandy brings more than 20 years’ experience to Networld Media Group. She has spent nearly two decades covering the pizza industry, from independent pizzerias to multi-unit chains and every size business in between. Mandy has been featured on the Food Network and has won numerous awards for her coverage of the restaurant industry. She has an insatiable appetite for learning, and can tell you where to find the best slices in the country after spending 15 years traveling and eating pizza for a living.
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