Why Does Pizza Come Round, Get Cut Into Triangles, but Served in a Square Box?

Pizza is traditionally round for a couple of reasons related to the way the dough is normally manipulated and baked. Dough made by hand is generally stretched or spun into round shape because this is the most natural hand motion, and doing things differently could lead to uneven cooking or not perfect crust on melted toppings. 

Besides, when it comes time to slice the pizza, we like to serve it to others in easy, and fairly sized triangular shapes, with a strip of crust on the edges. 

With that in mind, pizza boxes are square due to logistical reasons. Square pizza boxes are more cost-effective and simpler to produce. They can each be made from one sheet of cardboard that folds together easily. Square boxes have a better stacking and storage space-efficiency than round boxes, which eat into valuable delivery vehicles and pizzeria space. Also, the extra space on either side of the pizza within the box serves a purpose by providing space during transportation, and a buffer to protect the pizza.

Cutting pizza into triangles is the best way to create equal portions of a round pizza. Triangular slices are easy to pick up and eat, wider on the crust side, and have a point on one end where the first bite is taken from. The combination of a round pizza and triangular slices in a square box is a nice mixture of tradition, convenience, and economy that has not changed much over time. 

With all this in mind, it may seem a little strange or odd, but this shape trio is the best shape of how pizza is delivered to your plate from the oven.

This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Explanations are based on general industry practices and cultural traditions, which may vary by region and brand.