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Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Pentagon Pizza tracker: Can late-night orders predict war and why it's trending amid Israel-Iran conflict
Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which erupted on June 13, 2025, an intriguing theory has resurfaced, sparking widespread conversation. Known as the "Pentagon Pizza Theory," it claims a strange correlation between pizza deliveries and international crises. The Pentagon Pizza Theory, linking pizza deliveries to international crises, resurfaces amid the Israel-Iran conflict. (@PenPizzaReport/X) Also Read: 'Papa Johns still reporting...'; Pentagon Pizza tracker drops new hint as Iran's bombs US airbases in Qatar The origins of the Pentagon Pizza Theory actually trace back to the Cold War era. Soviet spies are said to have closely monitored late-night pizza deliveries in Washington, interpreting these unusual orders as signs of heightened military activity. They even gave it a name: Pizzint, a portmanteau of "pizza" and 'intelligence,' as reported by Business Standard. The idea was that large, unexpected surges in pizza orders could signal moments of increased military readiness. Over time, this quirky form of intelligence gathering morphed into a more widely discussed theory, particularly when high-profile events like the Iraq-Kuwait invasion seemed to coincide with pizza delivery spikes. Does the Pentagon Pizza Theory really predict wars? The theory was first introduced in August 1990 by Frank Meeks, a Domino's franchisee in Washington, who noticed a significant spike in pizza orders to CIA buildings. The very next day, news broke of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. In another incident, in December 1998, Frank Meeks once again observed an eerie pattern of increased pizza deliveries to Washington, DC, coinciding with President Bill Clinton's impeachment hearings. While this theory has never been officially recognized or tracked by intelligence agencies, it continues to resurface on the internet, as reported by Slurrp. Also Read: What is 'Operation Herald of Victory'? Iran escalates Middle East crisis by bombing US military bases in Qatar Did Pentagon Pizza Theory predict the Israel-Iran war? On the evening of June 12, reports surfaced of an unusual spike in pizza deliveries near the Pentagon, the five-sided headquarters of the US Department of Defense. This sudden increase in orders caught some observers' attention, as Business Standard reported. According to the X account, Pentagon Pizza Report, four pizzerias—We, The Pizza, Domino's, District Pizza Palace, and Extreme Pizza—experienced a notable surge in orders just before 7 pm ET. The account's post read, 'As of 6:59 pm ET nearly all pizza establishments nearby the Pentagon have experienced a HUGE surge in activity,' along with graphs indicating the surge. Later, it was reported that Israel launched a surprise military operation targeting nuclear and missile facilities in Iran. The account shared another report and wrote, 'With about an hour left before close, the 2nd closest Dominos to the Pentagon (about 8 min drive) is experiencing EXTREMELY high levels of traffic compared to a normal Thursday at about 11:00 pm ET.' The timing of the spike reignited speculation that sudden pizza surges near US military hubs may hint at impending geopolitical crises.
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Business Standard
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
The Pentagon Pizza Index: How pizza orders may predict global crises
It's not an intelligence leak or satellite feed. It's not even a diplomatic whisper. It's pizza. A fresh slice of conspiracy or perhaps insight is doing the rounds again. This time, it's tied to the escalating Israel-Iran tensions. And at the heart of it? A quirky, yet strangely compelling indicator known as the 'Pentagon Pizza Index'. On the evening of June 12, an unusual spike in pizza delivery activity was reportedly observed near the Pentagon, the five-sided nerve centre of the US Department of Defense. According to the X account 'Pentagon Pizza Report', which tracks open-source data on local pizza spot activity, four pizzerias—We, The Pizza, Domino's, District Pizza Palace, and Extreme Pizza—saw a sharp rise in orders just before 7 pm ET. 'As of 6:59 pm ET nearly all pizza establishments nearby the Pentagon have experienced a HUGE surge in activity,' the account posted. Hours later, Israel launched a surprise military operation targeting Iranian nuclear and missile facilities. The proximity of events fuelled speculation—and reignited the theory that a sudden surge in pizza orders near key US military installations often signals a looming geopolitical flashpoint. A theory baked over decades While it might sound like something out of a Netflix thriller, the idea has roots going back to the Cold War. Soviet spies reportedly tracked late-night pizza deliveries around Washington, suspecting it reflected heightened military readiness. They even coined a term for it: Pizzint—short for 'pizza intelligence'. As Frank Meeks, the former owner of 43 Domino's outlets in Washington, told the Los Angeles Times in 1991: 'The news media doesn't always know when something big is going to happen because they're in bed, but [pizza] deliverers are out there at 2 in the morning.' He pointed to one particular night—August 1, 1990—when the CIA ordered a record 21 pizzas. Hours later, Iraq invaded Kuwait, triggering the Gulf War. CNN's then-Pentagon correspondent, Wolf Blitzer, even reportedly said, 'Bottom line for journalists: Always monitor the pizzas.' Fast forward to now, and the tradition continues, albeit through the lens of digital breadcrumbs. The Pentagon Pizza Report uses tools like Google Maps' 'Popular Times' feature to spot traffic spikes at pizzerias around Arlington County, Virginia. The June 12 data? It came just before 'Operation Rising Lion', Israel's major military move. What the experts say Alex Selby-Boothroyd, Head of Data Journalism at The Economist, also gave the theory a nod on LinkedIn, writing, 'The Pentagon Pizza Index has been a surprisingly reliable predictor of seismic global events—from coups to wars—since the 1980s.' Still, officials are understandably cautious about endorsing pizza-fuelled predictions. When asked by Fox Business, the US Department of Defense said it had 'nothing to offer' on the matter. A Pentagon spokesperson further told Newsweek that the activity observed by Pentagon Pizza Report did "not align with the events" and reminded the public that there are 'many pizza options available inside the Pentagon, also sushi, sandwiches, donuts, coffee, etc".
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
A slice of crisis: Is pizza the Pentagon's secret political barometer?
Imagine a world where global crises aren't just brewing in diplomatic cables or hushed war rooms but subtly telegraphed by an unexpected surge in pizza sales. It sounds like something out of a spy novel, yet this fascinating concept, popularly known as the Pentagon Pizza Index , is once again sparking conversation. From its shadowy Cold War origins to recent viral moments on social media, this quirky, unofficial theory suggests that a sudden rush of pizza — or any takeout food —to the US defense and intelligence hubs could be the first delicious hint of an impending major geopolitical event. What is the Pentagon Pizza Index? The Pentagon Pizza Index is a quirky, unofficial theory that suggests a surge in pizza (or other takeout food) orders to the Pentagon and other US Defense or intelligence buildings can indicate an impending major geopolitical event. On June 14, two Domino's locations near the Pentagon registered abnormally high amounts of traffic for a Friday (throughout the day and evening), hinting at the onset of the Iran-Isarel conflict. The logic It is believed that when government officials and staff are working late into the night on urgent, high stakes matters (like military operations, international conflicts, or significant policy decisions), they can't leave their posts for food. Therefore, they rely heavily on quick, shareable, convenient and calorie-rich food like pizza to keep them going. A dramatic increase in pizza orders signals heightened activity and a potential crisis brewing. When pepperoni predicted peril This intriguing theory known as 'Pizza Intelligence,' or 'Pizzint,' goes back to the Cold War. At that time, Soviet analysts reportedly kept a close eye on pizza deliveries to US government buildings. Sudden surges in food orders to the CIA & Pentagon, were considered informal indicators of the looming crisis. In 1990 Frank Meeks, a Washington DC Domino's franchise owner, observed a spike in orders to CIA buildings. The next day, Iraq invaded Kuwait, confirming his 'Pizzint' suspicions. Unusual? Surely One of the most notable recent instances of the Pentagon Pizza Index in action occurred on April 13, 2024. That night, as Iran unleashed a massive drone and missile strike against Israel, screenshots from various food delivery platforms showed pizzerias surrounding the Pentagon, White House, and Department of Defence tagged with the telling status of 'busier than usual.' (Source: Economic Times) Pentagon to the Pizza Index: 'We got sushi too' A Pentagon spokesperson reacted to the Pizza delivery index of June 13 and clarified they do not need to order pizza as there are many pizza options inside Pentagon and also, they have sushi, sandwiches, donuts, etc. According to a report published by Tasting Tables, March 27, 2025, the Pentagon, has cafes for quick coffee runs to full meals. Here's a sampler: McDonald's Dunkin Donuts Baskin-Robbins Taco Bell Panda Express Jamba Juice Potbelly Sandwich Works Tropical Smoothie Café Panera Bread Subway Popeyes Starbucks Moe's Southwest Grill
Economic Times
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Pentagon's Pizza Index has accurately predicted 21 crises: Is WWIII next?
WWIII News: A quirky Cold War-era theory has resurfaced online: the 'Pentagon Pizza Index.' It links spikes in pizza orders near the Pentagon with looming global crises. Social media users, pointing to past conflicts and recent Middle East tensions, believe delivery surges signal government urgency. Analysts now use open-source tools like Google Maps to monitor pizzeria traffic near U.S. defence hubs. While not definitive, the pattern has been oddly consistent — leaving many wondering if America's next big move is hiding in plain sight, in a pizza box. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Cold war roots of the pizza theory Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads WWIII warning: What is the Pentagon Pizza Index today? The April 2024 pizza spike Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Inside the logic: Why pizza? World War III: Pizza as a proxy for preparedness Official silence, public curiosity As tensions rise in the Middle East, a curious, crowd-driven theory known as the ' Pentagon Pizza Index' has caught fire online. On June 12 and 13, users on X (formerly Twitter) reported a sudden spike in pizza deliveries near the Pentagon and Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., sparking speculation that the United States may be quietly entering crisis mode behind closed timing? Just hours before Israel reportedly struck targets in Iran in response to Tehran's earlier drone and missile attacks. And once again, pizza orders were began as a Soviet spy trick is now a digital-age memeThe idea isn't new. During the Cold War, Soviet operatives observed pizza delivery activity in Washington, believing it signalled crisis preparation inside U.S. intelligence circles. They coined it 'Pizzint' — short for pizza tactic entered public lore on 1 August 1990, when Frank Meeks, a Domino's franchisee in Washington, noticed a sudden surge in deliveries to CIA buildings. The next day, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Meeks later told the Los Angeles Times he saw a similar pattern in December 1998 during the impeachment hearings of President Bill former CNN Pentagon correspondent Wolf Blitzer once joked in 1990, 'Bottom line for journalists: Always monitor the pizzas.'A meme, an OSINT tool, or a symptom of digital-age paranoia?The modern Pentagon Pizza Index is tracked through open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools. These include Google Maps, which shows real-time restaurant activity, and social media observations. Pages like @PenPizzaReport on X have dedicated themselves to watching for abnormal 1 June 2025, the account posted, 'With less than an hour to go before closing time, the Domino's closest to the Pentagon is experiencing unusually high footfall.'A few hours later, reports emerged of a fresh escalation between Israel and Iran. For believers in the theory, it was yet another sign that something bigger was underway.A recent example that reignited interestThe most notable recent instance occurred on 13 April 2024, the night Iran launched a massive drone and missile strike against Israel. That same evening, screenshots from delivery platforms showed pizzerias around the Pentagon, White House, and Department of Defense tagged as 'busier than usual.'Multiple Papa John's and Domino's branches reported increased orders. The correlation prompted viral memes and renewed interest in the to Euro News, a user on X posted on 13 June 2025, 'The Pentagon Pizza Index is hiking.'Food, fatigue and national securityThe concept is deceptively simple. When military staff face a national emergency, they work longer shifts and can't leave their posts. They need quick, filling food — and pizza fits the in behavioural psychology show that under stress, people prefer calorie-dense, familiar comfort foods. During high-alert operations, officials may work 16–20 hour days. That creates a visible consumption spike that outsiders can because platforms like Google and Uber Eats share real-time data on restaurant activity, amateur analysts can monitor these patterns — no hacking not perfect, but it's consistentThe Pentagon Pizza Index isn't a foolproof system. It could easily be triggered by something mundane: a long staff meeting, a software glitch, or a nearby college football why modern OSINT analysts often cross-reference pizza spikes with other indicators — like unusual aircraft movements, ride-hailing activity, or power usage near government buildings. When multiple signs align, it suggests more than a senior analyst put it: 'You can't bank a war call on a pizza. But if the Pentagon's burning the midnight oil and feeding everyone, it's worth a second look.'What the US government says — and doesn't sayDespite the chatter online, the US government has made no mention of pizza deliveries as indicators of to speculation about American involvement in Israel's airstrikes on Iran, Republican Senator Marco Rubio said:'We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence.'Still, the Pentagon's silence on the pizza theory hasn't stopped internet users from meets anxiety in the age of digital vigilanceIn an age where open-source tools let ordinary people track the movement of jets, ships, and even pizzas, the Pentagon Pizza Index sits at the bizarre intersection of humour and fear. It turns snack food into a warning also a reminder: not all intelligence requires a badge. Sometimes, the clue might be just down the road — in a Domino's you see it as absurd or insightful, one thing is clear: when the pizzas fly, people pay attention.
India Today
14-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
The ‘Pizza Index': Can fast food forecast war?
As tensions between Israel and Iran flared in recent weeks, a bizarre and long-forgotten theory has re-entered the spotlight the so-called 'Pizza Index.' No, this isn't the latest foodie trend. It's a strange metric some online sleuths claim can predict major military theory, largely fuelled by an anonymous X (formerly Twitter) account, suggests that when pizza deliveries spike near the Pentagon, something big even explosive is on the horizon. And just before Israel launched its latest airstrikes on Iran? The dough started flying. According to the account, pizza orders from three restaurants close to the U.S. Department of Defense surged in the hours leading up to the Israeli assault. One post declared: 'All pizza establishments nearby the Pentagon have experienced a HUGE surge in activity.' Another claimed that 'District Pizza Palace, just minutes before closing, was experiencing a huge surge in traffic.' Even a nearby Domino's, allegedly close to the White House, reported 'above-average levels of traffic.'Coincidence? believers point to historical precedents. Back in 1990, the night before Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, pizza orders reportedly spiked in Washington, D.C. Frank Meeks, who owned several Domino's franchises in the capital, later observed the same trend before the launch of Operation Desert Storm in logic behind the theory is surprisingly simple: when major decisions loom, Pentagon staff don't leave their desks. War rooms heat up, phones don't stop ringing, and fast, convenient food like pizza becomes essential not about dough — it's about laugh it off as pure coincidence, yet even sceptics admit there's something oddly compelling about how food delivery patterns might mirror global did America's cheese-covered secret sauce really foreshadow Israel's strike on Iran?We may never know. But maybe just maybe the biggest clue wasn't buried in classified documents. Maybe it was in a pizza box advertisement
