Did Chinas military parade fuel spike in Pentagon pizza orders?
A Chinese state broadcaster-linked account reported increased orders at Domino's and Papa John's near the Pentagon. This fuelled discussion surrounding the "Pentagon Pizza Index," an informal online indicator of heightened military activity, based on the idea that increased pizza orders might reflect late-night meetings or emergency briefings. However, the accuracy of these claims remains uncertain.
New Delhi: Social media is abuzz with claims that pizza orders at the Pentagon saw a surge during China’s Victory Day Parade, though the accuracy of these claims remains uncertain.
According to a report in South China Morning Post, a social media account linked to a Chinese state broadcaster claimed that the Pentagon witnessed a spike in pizza orders during Beijing’s Victory Day Parade.
What exactly was the claim
Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account linked to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, said that Domino’s Pizza saw over four times its normal customer traffic around 9 pm on September 3 -- the day the parade was held.
It was around the same time that orders increased at a nearby Papa John’s outlet too. Was it just a coincidence that it all happened at the start of China’s Victory Day Parade.
Yuyuan Tantian said: "The surge in orders at both pizza shops coincided precisely with the commencement of China’s military parade.”
What did the handle report
The Yuyuan Tantian handle reported more than average traffic for the Domino’s outlet closest to the Pentagon on September 3. Earlier in the day, it also pointed out above-average traffic at the Domino’s outlet located nearest to the White House – around the same time the military parade was happening.
It further pointed out that there was a huge surge in pizza orders last week at outlets such as Freddie’s Beach Bar – the gay bar closest to the Pentagon – Domino’s Pizza, District Pizza Palace, and Crystal City Sports Pub.
On Friday, the account claimed that "pizzerias near the Pentagon are reporting high traffic”. "Pizzerias near the Pentagon are currently mixed, ranging between below average to above average,” it added later.
What's Pentagon Pizza Index?
The Pentagon Pizza Index is an informal, tongue-in-cheek term popular among internet users, who track pizza delivery activity around the Pentagon and the White House. It is an apparent indicator of major events or heightened military activity.
The popular notion is that sudden surges in pizza orders may hint at late-night meetings, emergency briefings, or unusual goings-on inside Pentagon or the White House. It's more of an online curiosity than a serious analytical measure. However, it has gained popularity as a quirky yardstick through US defense operations can be speculated.
Pizza orders reportedly saw a huge spike on August 1, 1990, just ahead of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Frank Meeks, the owner of dozens of Domino’s franchises in Washington, claimed that orders rose before every military move. He recalled a similar spike when President Bill Clinton was being impeached in 1998.
Earlier this year, the Pentagon Pizza Report is also believed to have "predicted” the conflict between Israel and Iran. The account shared Google Maps activity from four pizza outlets near the Pentagon — We, The Pizza; District Pizza Palace; Domino’s; and Extreme Pizza. These outlets indicated a steep spike in orders.
Pizza orders are believed to have surged across Washington, DC amid rumours of Trump’s death which circulated on social media. The Pentagon Pizza Index reportedly revealed an increase of almost 800 per cent then.