When it comes to pizza, great dough isn’t optional—it’s everything. That chewy, crispy, golden crust you crave? It all starts with fresh dough that’s made right, not pulled from a freezer.
These 15 national pizza chains take their dough seriously, mixing and proofing it daily for the best flavor, rise, and texture in every bite.
Whether you like it thin, thick, or somewhere in between, these spots know fresh dough makes the difference.
1. MOD Pizza
MOD makes their dough in-house every day and lets it proof slowly for the perfect hand-pressed crust. It’s soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, and just right for piling on unlimited toppings.
With a build-your-own format and speedy service, MOD is all about freshness and flavor.
2. Blaze Pizza
At Blaze, the dough is made from scratch daily and fermented for 24 hours to develop deep flavor. It’s hand-stretched, never frozen, and bakes up beautifully in a blazing-hot oven.
Their commitment to clean ingredients and crispy crust keeps fans coming back again and again.
3. Papa Murphy’s
This take-and-bake chain preps fresh dough in every store, so your pizza starts out with that homemade taste. You take it home and bake it when you’re ready—nothing frozen, nothing rushed.
It’s like making it yourself, without all the mess.
4. Marco’s Pizza
Marco’s prides itself on authentic Italian flavor, and that starts with dough made fresh every day in each store. It’s never frozen and proofed to perfection for a rich, chewy bite.
It’s the kind of crust that holds up to hearty sauce and loads of toppings.
5. Hungry Howie’s
Known for its flavored crusts, Hungry Howie’s makes fresh dough daily and gives you choices like garlic herb, butter cheese, or Cajun. Every pie starts with soft, scratch-made dough.
It’s proof that crust doesn’t have to be boring—it can be the best part.
6. Mountain Mike’s Pizza
Mountain Mike’s has been using fresh dough since day one. They make it daily in-store, letting it rise and rest for the perfect thick, golden crust.
It’s a West Coast favorite for a reason—big pizzas, bold toppings, and seriously good dough.
7. Jet’s Pizza
Jet’s is all about that Detroit-style deep dish, and fresh dough is the key. They prep it daily to create that signature airy, crispy, cheesy-edged square crust.
One bite of that crunchy corner and you’ll know: fresh makes all the difference.
8. Round Table Pizza
Round Table mixes fresh dough in-house each day, using high-quality ingredients and a time-tested process. Their hand-rolled crust is thick, soft, and rich with flavor.
It’s been a favorite on the West Coast for decades—and their dough is a big reason why.
9. California Pizza Kitchen
CPK uses fresh dough made daily for their signature hand-tossed pizzas. Whether it’s the classic BBQ Chicken or a veggie-packed option, the crust is always light, crispy, and flavorful.
Even with creative toppings, their dough stays a standout.
10. Pieology
Pieology offers made-from-scratch dough that’s prepped in-store and never frozen. With several crust options—including gluten-free and cauliflower—it’s all about fresh choices and bold combos.
It’s custom pizza your way, with a crust that rises to the occasion.
11. Toppers Pizza
Toppers makes their dough fresh every single day, hand-stretching it for a chewy, golden result. Their pizzas are known for wild toppings and late-night cravings—but the crust holds it all together.
No shortcuts here—just bold, buttery crust done right.
12. Donatos Pizza
This Ohio-based chain is famous for edge-to-edge toppings on a thin, crispy crust made fresh daily. The dough is never frozen and always rolled out by hand.
That extra crunch and flavor? It’s all thanks to the fresh base underneath.
13. LaRosa’s Pizzeria
A Cincinnati classic, LaRosa’s has been making fresh dough in-store since 1954. Their hand-tossed crust is tender and holds up well to the chain’s hearty sauces and toppings.
Generations of families keep coming back—and the dough is part of the tradition.
14. PizzaRev
PizzaRev keeps it fresh with homemade dough mixed daily and no frozen shortcuts. Their thin crust bakes fast and comes out crispy and light.
With high heat and fresh ingredients, it’s fast-casual pizza that doesn’t skimp on quality.
15. Papa Gino’s
A New England staple, Papa Gino’s makes fresh dough in every restaurant, every day. Their crust is thin, classic, and loaded with nostalgia for lifelong fans.
When locals say “best pizza around,” they mean it—and the fresh dough is why.