US pizza restaurant spending

Between 2018 and 2023, TikTok was downloaded more times each year and American pizza restaurants collected more dollars each year, and the two numbers have risen together (r = 0.958) in a way that clarifies exactly what 'dinner and a show' has become. One hand holds a phone; one hand holds a slice. The other hand does nothing. Dinner is served.

TikTok global app downloads grew from about 66 million in 2018 to over 700 million by 2022 before a slight decline as markets saturated; US pizza restaurant spending climbed from about $40 billion in 2018 to over $47 billion by 2023, with Domino's, Pizza Hut, and Papa John's all reporting record delivery mixes. The real linkage is the pandemic and its aftermath: TikTok became the default media app during lockdowns, and pizza became the default comfort delivery, and the post-pandemic return to normal has been unable to dislodge either habit. The Zoomer demographic that discovered TikTok in 2020 is the same demographic now ordering Little Caesars by the Slices app.

The feed scrolls. The box opens. One evening, two durable industries, zero plates.