Bushra Griffith
Mozzarella is a key ingredient in pizza, and many pizza chains source their cheese from the same suppliers. Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars all use mozzarella cheese from Leprino Foods, a company based in Colorado that is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. Leprino Foods sells more than a billion pounds of cheese a year, and its mozzarella cheese is available in part-skim, fat-free, or whole milk varieties. However, some pizza chains, like Little Caesars, may use other cheese suppliers or blends that include different types of cheese, such as Muenster. While mozzarella is a popular choice for pizza chains, the quality and type of mozzarella used can vary, with some pizzerias preferring whole milk mozzarella for its richer flavor and melting properties.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pizza Chains | Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's, Little Caesars |
| Cheese Supplier | Leprino Foods |
| Cheese Type | Mozzarella |
| Cheese Blend | Shredded Provolone and Mozzarella |
| Cheese Weight | 1.5 pounds |
| Cheese Texture | Gooey, Full-Fat |
| Cheese Characteristics | Melty, Creamy |
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What You'll Learn
- Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars use mozzarella from the same company
- Leprino Foods is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world
- Leprino's mozzarella is made with pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, and more
- Whole milk mozzarella is richer and melts better, but it's harder to find
- Toppers uses 100% real Wisconsin mozzarella on its pizzas
Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars use mozzarella from the same company
Pizza Hut, Dominos, Papa Johns, and Little Caesars are some of the biggest pizza chains in the United States. Interestingly, all four pizza chains source their mozzarella cheese from the same company, Leprino Foods.
Leprino Foods is owned by the secretive billionaire James Leprino, who is credited with building a cheese empire. The company supplies cheese to 85% of the pizza market, including these four pizza giants. Leprino Foods sells more than a billion pounds of cheese a year, generating $3 billion in revenue.
The story of how Leprino Foods came to be the cheese supplier for these competing pizza chains is quite intriguing. It began in 1958, when Mike Leprino Sr., the father of James Leprino, started making fresh mozzarella balls in the original Leprino Foods store. That same year, the first Pizza Hut opened in Wichita, Kansas, and a year later, the first Little Caesars opened outside Detroit. As these pizza chains grew, Leprino Foods became their cheese supplier, delivering 200 pounds of block mozzarella a week to local Italian restaurants.
Over time, Leprino Foods expanded its business with these pizza chains, even becoming the exclusive supplier for Papa John's when it launched in 1985. The company's focus on large pizza chains has allowed it to dominate the market and sell to competitors simultaneously. Leprino Foods has also invested in technology and innovation, creating an in-house "innovation studio" to ride the coattails of food trends.
The mozzarella cheese supplied by Leprino Foods is a key ingredient in the pizzas offered by Pizza Hut, Dominos, Papa Johns, and Little Caesars, contributing to their unique flavors and textures.
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Leprino Foods is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world
Leprino Foods, an American company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, is the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. The company was founded by Mike Leprino, James Leprino's father, in 1950 as a family-owned market selling grocery items and handmade cheese in Denver.
Leprino Foods has since expanded globally, with facilities in the United States, Brazil, Singapore, Northern Ireland, Wales, and other countries. The company's cheeses include mozzarella, reduced-fat Monterey jack, provolone, reduced-fat cheddar, and various cheese blends. Leprino supplies cheese to 85% of the pizza market, including major chains such as Pizza Hut, Domino's, Little Caesars, and Papa John's. They sell around a billion pounds of cheese annually, generating $3 billion in revenue.
Leprino has invested in factories and plants that specialize in different types of cheese. For example, their factory in Greeley, Colorado, focuses on "ribbon cheese," which is popular among frozen-pizza companies. The company has also launched the Bacio brand, offering mozzarella with a touch of buffalo milk for artisanal pizza makers.
Leprino's success in the pizza cheese market can be attributed to James Leprino's insight into the potential of supplying cheese to pizzerias. After noticing his classmates spending time at neighborhood pizza joints, he recognized the demand for cheese in the pizza industry. Leprino Foods has since become a trusted supplier to major pizza chains, contributing to their distinctive flavors and textures.
With a commitment to sustainability and global responsibility, Leprino has established itself as a leading dairy food and ingredient company, nourishing families worldwide with its high-quality mozzarella cheese and other dairy products.
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Leprino's mozzarella is made with pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, and more
Leprino Foods is the world's largest producer of mozzarella and pizza cheese, selling over a billion pounds of cheese per year, with revenue of around $3 billion. The company was founded by Mike Leprino Sr., who emigrated from southern Italy to Denver in 1914. Initially, he focused on farming, but in 1950, he opened a grocery store, selling Italian specialties, including fresh ricotta, mozzarella balls, and ravioli.
Mike Leprino's son, James, noticed that local pizzerias were buying 5,000 pounds of cheese per week, and in 1958, after larger chain grocery stores forced the Leprino market to close, the Leprino family started making cheese, with Mike Sr. crafting fresh mozzarella balls. Today, Leprino mozzarella is made with pasteurized milk, cheese cultures, salt, enzymes, and other ingredients. The company supplies cheese to some of the biggest pizza chains in the world, including Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars.
Leprino mozzarella is made through a patented process of heating and stretching, resulting in cheese that provides the perfect amount of flavor, melt, and stretch. The company offers a range of mozzarella products, from shredded and string cheese to six-pound blocks and bulk ribbon cheese. Leprino has also created an in-house "innovation studio" to develop new products, such as Bacio, a mozzarella with a hint of buffalo milk, catering to artisanal pizza-makers.
Leprino's focus on efficiency and innovation has allowed it to dominate the market, controlling up to 85% of the market for pizza cheese. The company has invested in technology, resulting in numerous patents and an estimated 7% net margin, significantly higher than the dairy industry average. Leprino's ability to supply cheese to competing pizza chains while maintaining the quality and consistency of its product is a testament to its success.
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Whole milk mozzarella is richer and melts better, but it's harder to find
When it comes to pizza, meltability is a key factor in choosing the right cheese. While there are many types of mozzarella cheese available, whole milk mozzarella stands out for its rich flavour and superior melting abilities.
Whole milk mozzarella has a higher butterfat content, resulting in a richer taste and a moister, stretchier texture when melted. This makes it ideal for pizzas, as it creates a gooey, blanket-like layer of cheese that stretches into thin strands when you take a bite. However, it can also be more challenging to find and may have a shorter usage window due to its faster curing speed.
The melting ability of mozzarella cheese is primarily determined by its fat content. Whole milk mozzarella, with its higher fat content, tends to melt more evenly and smoothly compared to part-skim or skim mozzarella. It also browns slightly more during melting due to its higher fat content, contributing to a visually appealing pizza.
While whole milk mozzarella offers a richer flavour and better melting qualities, it may be more difficult to source. In the past, part-skim mozzarella was often cheaper due to government price support for butter, which allowed dairy producers to sell milkfat at a higher price. However, with changing market dynamics, the price difference between whole milk and part-skim mozzarella has diminished.
Ultimately, the choice between whole milk and part-skim mozzarella depends on the specific requirements of the pizza maker. While whole milk mozzarella delivers on taste and meltability, part-skim options can still be suitable, especially if cost and availability are considerations.
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Toppers uses 100% real Wisconsin mozzarella on its pizzas
Toppers is a pizza chain that uses 100% real Wisconsin mozzarella on its pizzas. In a blind taste test of original cheese pizzas from seven national pizza chains, Toppers was appreciated for its cheese and distribution of toppings. The mozzarella cheese used by Toppers is likely sourced from local farms in Wisconsin, known for its high-quality dairy products.
Wisconsin is recognized for its dairy industry and has a long history of cheese production. The state's climate and soil conditions are ideal for dairy farming, with lush green pastures providing abundant grazing for dairy cows. Wisconsin's dairy farms are known for their commitment to quality and traditional cheese-making techniques, ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality mozzarella.
Mozzarella cheese is a key ingredient in pizzas, and its quality can significantly impact the overall taste and texture of the dish. By using 100% real Wisconsin mozzarella, Toppers ensures that their pizzas have an authentic, traditional flavor. Mozzarella made from whole milk is known for its superior melting ability and richer flavor compared to part-skim mozzarella, resulting in a creamier, more indulgent pizza experience.
Other popular pizza chains, such as Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa John's, and Little Caesars, also use mozzarella cheese on their pizzas. However, their cheese is primarily supplied by Leprino Foods, a company based in Colorado and the largest mozzarella cheese producer in the world. Leprino Foods sells more than a billion pounds of cheese annually, catering to multiple competing pizza chains.
While Leprino Foods has a dominant position in the market, smaller pizza chains like Toppers can source high-quality mozzarella from local producers or specialty cheese-makers. By using 100% real Wisconsin mozzarella, Toppers showcases its commitment to using premium ingredients, setting itself apart from other pizza chains in terms of flavor and quality.
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Frequently asked questions
Toppers.
Pizza Hut.
Domino's.
