Celebrate National Pizza Month with the Right Trays for Your Pizza Dough!

Posted on October 14, 2022

While it may be an Italian dish, pizza has become America’s undisputed favorite food. Perhaps that’s why the U.S. officially designated October as National Pizza Month.

To join in the festivities, MFG Tray, a premier manufacturer of food service trays, is off to the fourth annual Pizza & Pasta Northeast (PPNE) Convention. Running October 16th and 17th, 2022, this two-day event features demonstrations by top chefs, seminars, and suppliers for pizzerias and Italian restaurants across the country.

In this post, MFG Tray takes a look at the creation of National Pizza Month, the scope of the industry, and how the best food service equipment can make your pie reign supreme.

The Inception of National Pizza Month

Many of our favorite foods, like donuts, candy, and bread, get a special day on our national calendar. But pizza gets an entire month. That’s right, we love it that much.

This holiday was started in 1984 by a pizzeria owner named Gerry Durnell in Santa Claus, Indiana. Gerry got the idea after starting Pizza Today, a magazine that provides pizzerias with critical business information.

Only three years after he declared National Pizza Month, the U.S. Congress officially declared October as National Pizza Month! But the holiday isn’t just about people eating pizza; it’s about the fine folks who make it.

Small pizzerias employ some of the hardest-working people out there. Furthermore, serving up some saucy slices has a big impact on our economy.

Some Serious Dough

From a Sunday night football bar pie to an artisan flatbread at a five-star Italian restaurant, pizza comes in all shapes and sizes. With so many one-of-a-kind recipes to try, people just can’t help but make pizza one of their go-to foods.

Today, the U.S. pizza industry has reached a staggering 46 billion dollars! Globally, the market topped $119.2 billion! When you consider most pizzas sell for around $10.00 (give or take) the world’s pizza makers are literally serving up billions each year.

Getting Your Slice of the Billion-Dollar Pie

A good dough is the foundation of any great pizza. To keep your customers craving your ‘za, make sure you have the right process and tools in place so that your crust stands out in the market.

Let’s start with the rising and proofing process. As you probably know, after you make your dough, you need to give it ample time to rise.

Once your dough balls are proofed, you can spin up a fresh pie. Or, you can add an even deeper flavor profile and airy texture by cool proofing your dough. You see, in a quick proof, the dough doesn’t develop much flavor beyond flour, sugar, and yeast.

But with cold proofing, your dough becomes greater than the sum of its ingredients. Through this process, your crust will ultimately become lighter and airier and develop a whole new flavor.

Let’s Talk Trays

Whether you’re slinging pizzas too fast to cool or your dough is chilling in the freezer, you want to ensure you’re using the best equipment available throughout the dough-making process.

Although traditional thermoplastic trays and dough boxes are often used in pizzerias and other restaurants, they put your kitchen at risk of production setbacks. Reason being, they’re prone to bending, denting, and sagging. Furthermore, composite food service trays are:

To minimize this issue, you should consider using composite fiberglass dough trays. They have the strength and durability to keep your kitchen moving smoothly. If you run a large-scale pizza chain or sell your pizza dough to pizza shops, these trays can be integrated into any sized production process. In addition to dough box trays and proofing boards, MFG Tray also offers:

• Cafeteria Trays
• Market Display Trays
• Non-Slip Trays
• Pan Extenders
• Prep & Storage Containers
• Supreme Display Trays
• Ventilation Trays

Pro-tip: Be sure to check out our NEW selection of light-weight dough boxes. With less weight and the same strength as are standard composite trays, your kitchen can move faster than ever.

Celebrate by Growing Your Business

At MFG Tray, we love celebrating the pizza, including the people who make it. Whether you’re running a chain or have created your own one-of-a-kind joint, the right tools for the trade can help you grow your business.

MFG Tray has developed a multitude of molded fiberglass trays, boxes, and containers that help keep your dough fresh and flavorful. We can also design a customized solution for your production level. If you’re interested in learning more about what we do and our products, head to our food service page or reach out today.