Domino's new personal pizza is a sad sign for America
Domino's launch of a personal pizza serves as a cultural touchpoint for the increasing trend of Americans eating alone. Experts suggest that the decline in shared dining experiences may negatively impact social trust and interpersonal connection.
Why it matters
This trend highlights a broader societal shift toward individualism and the potential erosion of communal habits that foster social cohesion.
Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI Domino's is finally launching a truly personal pizza . Yay! Right? Except that the company's announcement about it is weirdly sad. Hungry diners will be able to customize "without compromise," it says, avoid "sacrifice," and share a meal without actually sharing. Of course, pizza's not that deep, but that's sort of the point. We should generally be able to come to an agreement on olives and pepperoni. A growing number of Americans are eating by themselves — the Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey shows that as of 2023, over a quarter of Americans spent most of their eating and drinking time alone , up from a fifth in 2008. When people do end up gathering for meals, they're increasingly siloed. We've figured out how to eat alone even when we are together.
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