Tear & share: Three UK reveals Britain’s bizarre public pizza habits

• From crust-first fanatics to knife-and-fork purists, new research reveals nearly two-thirds (63%) of Brits eat pizza differently at home than in public.
  
  
• Londoners are the most self-conscious, with three-quarters (76%) changing how they eat pizza in public.
  
  
• Bizarre pizza habits unveiled as people: stack two pizza slices on top of each other (32%) and eat the crust first (9%).
  
  
• Upgrade a night in with a brand-new offer of Papa Johns pizza for just £5 on Three+ customer rewards app.
  
  

Pineapple on pizza may still divide opinion but, in 2026, the bigger debate is how Brits eat it. New research from Three UK reveals almost two thirds (63%) admit to changing how they eat pizza depending on the setting, from being in public or at home. Today, Three is bringing the pizza party to customers’ doors – no matter how they eat it – with a Papa Johns pizza for just £5 on Three+ app.

For many, they are playing it safe in public – over half (52%) opt for cutlery to avoid making a mess, while a third (32%) admit it’s about being more socially acceptable. And with habits including eating toppings separately (36%), flipping slices upside down (35%) to dipping pizza in ketchup (29%) – it’s hardly surprising that a quarter of Brits (27%) admit they’ve judged someone for eating pizza differently to them.

Pizza etiquette also appears to matter more to younger generations, with almost three in four Gen Zs and millennials (69%) changing how they eat pizza in public, compared with just under half (45%) of over-65s. But it’s not just a generational thing, where you are plays a role too. Londoners are the most likely to rethink their pizza strategy when out (76%), followed closely by those in the North East (70%).

People have lots of different methods of tucking into the cheesy slices and, for most, it comes down to ease (37%), habit (37%) and enjoyment (32%), as:

• 32% stack two slices on top of each other
• 17% fold their slice in half
• 16% cut it into long, thin strips
• 11% bring the centre and crust together
• 9% go straight for the crust first

To celebrate every style of pizza eater, from toppings-first pickers to committed folders and the £5 Papa Johns pizza offer now available on the Three+ rewards app, Three has identified the top five pizza personalities, proving there is more than one way to enjoy a slice:

Brits’ Top Five Pizza Personalities:

1. Cold Cravers – for this group, leftover pizza straight from the fridge is every bit as satisfying, if not better, than eating it fresh and hot.
   
   
2. Crust Crusaders – the rebels who go straight for the crust first, saving the centre until last and ignoring every accepted pizza rule in the process.
   
   
3. Slicing Surgeons – the neat eaters who insist on using a knife and fork, treating every slice with the kind of precision usually reserved for fine dining.
   
   
4. Fold Fanatics – these pizza devotees won’t take a bite until the slice is folded in half, convinced it’s the only way to keep the toppings in place and maximise flavour.
   
   
5. Flat Earthers – the purists who refuse to fold under pressure, insisting pizza should always be eaten flat, exactly as it comes.
   
   

The limited time £5 Papa Johns pizza is just one of many perks available on Three+, from £3 weekend cinema tickets to exclusive pre-sale access for gigs and entertainment, plus offers from leading brands across food and drink, shopping, wellbeing and days out.

For more information on the Three+ rewards app, visit the Three website.

Notes to Editors

For further information and media enquiries, please contact three@tinmancomms.com

About the research:

* Research carried out across 2,000 Brits who have eaten a pizza aged 18+ years old, by 3Gem on behalf of Three on 27th March 2026.

** Terms and Conditions apply

The small pizza is just £5 (normally £20.99), valid all day, every day until 30 ^th April. One code per person, per week. Available by delivery and collection, but delivery charge and minimum spend apply and vary by location. Full T&Cs apply.

About Three UK:

Three launched in 2003 as the UK’s first 3G only network. Today, Three’s network covers 99% of the UK population, carries 36% of the UK’s mobile data traffic (Enders Analysis, Q2 2025) and has been recognised as the UK’s Fastest 5G Network (Ookla Speedtest Awards, Q1-Q2 2025).

Three UK is a proud partner of Samaritans, using its network and technology to connect one million people to emotional support.

Three UK is one of the brands of recently merged VodafoneThree, which is the UK’s largest mobile provider. VodafoneThree is investing £11bn in building the UK’s best network, delivering reliable, quality connectivity to all communities – from big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between – reaching 99.95% population coverage by 2034.

As a result of the merger, Vodafone and Three customers get more coverage, faster speeds and fewer not spots. Devices automatically connect to the best coverage available – whether that’s on the Vodafone or Three network – effectively giving them access to two networks at no extra cost.

www.three.co.uk

www.vodafonethree.com

Full Terms & Conditions: Whether you’re team Double Pepperoni, a classic lover of Cheese and Tomato or ready to dive into The Vegan Works, we’ve got you covered. You can grab any small pizza for just £5 at Papa Johns. Your local slice of happiness is waiting – go get it while it’s hot.

T&Cs

Offer ultimately expires at 23:59 on 30th April 2026. 18+, UK only. Code gives customer any small pizza for £5. 1 code per customer per week. Available Monday-Sunday, online only. Includes Create Your Own with up to four toppings. Excludes stuffed crust. Offer valid for collection and delivery. Minimum order value and charges for delivery may vary per location.

This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers / bundles. Offer available at participating stores only and excludes Butlins, Haven Holiday Parks, Ribby Hall Village, Planet Ice, on campus stores and Ireland Offer cannot be exchanged, refunded, transferred or resold and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. No cash alternative. Purchases from Papa Johns are subject to their [Terms](https://www.papajohns.co.uk/terms- and-conditions/online-terms-and-conditions) and their [Privacy Policy](https://www.papajohns.co.uk/privacy-notice). Papa Johns reserves the right to cancel an order, withdraw, vary or extend promotions, at their discretion. For questions about this offer [contact Papa Johns](https://www.papajohns.co.uk/customerservice). For questions about the Three+ app, [contact us] (https://www.three.co.uk/threeplus/help). These Offer Terms are in addition to and subject to the main [Three+ Terms](http://www.three.co.uk/terms-conditions/threeplus) and [Three+ Privacy Notice](https://www.three.co.uk/terms-conditions/threeplus-privacy-notice). Three reserves the right to amend, cancel, or suspend this offer or these offer terms at any time without prior notice. Use of this offer is deemed to be acceptance by you of these offer terms (including as amended). Three+ is operated by Hutchison 3G UK Limited (“Three”). Three administers this Offer and Papa Johns Pizza Limited, Papa Johns International Hub 11 Northfield Drive, Northfield, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom, MK15 0DQ (Papa Johns) is the Promoter of the Offer. These offer terms and any related disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts.