Archive · 18 Jun 2025
Pentagon Pizza Index: Pizza Orders and Global Events
Imagine pizza deliveries as a secret signal.
The "Pentagon Pizza Index" thinks that if lots of pizza gets ordered near the Pentagon, it might mean something big is about to happen in the world.
The theory is based on the idea that important people in government order pizza when they are working late on important events.
It's been around since the 80s, with some people tracking pizza deliveries during the Cold War and the CIA ordering tons of pizza right before the Gulf War.
It's not a guaranteed way to know what will happen, but it's a fun way to look at news events!
A viral theory, the "Pentagon Pizza Index", suggests increased pizza orders near the Pentagon can predict global events.
The theory gained traction after an uptick in pizza orders near the Pentagon was noted hours before Israel's attack on Iran.
The idea posits that more pizza orders indicate government officials are working late or aware of an impending crisis.
Alex Selby-Boothroyd from The Economist said the index has been a reliable predictor of global events since the 1980s.
The CIA once ordered a record number of pizzas before the Gulf War, and Soviet operatives tracked pizza orders during the Cold War.
- Who
- The index is mentioned by an X account, and by Alex Selby-Boothroyd from The Economist.
- What
- The "Pentagon Pizza Index" suggests a surge in pizza orders near the Pentagon can predict global crises.
- When
- The theory gained attention after increased pizza orders were noted on June 12, just before Israel's attack on Iran.
- Where
- The index focuses on pizza orders near the Pentagon in Arlington County.
- Why
- The increased orders may indicate that top officials are working late on global events or have prior knowledge.
Skeptical View
Supporter's View
Reliability
Skeptical View
This is a fringe theory.
Supporter's View
It's been a reliable predictor of events.
- Index Name
- Pentagon Pizza Index
- Premise
- Increased pizza orders near Pentagon may signal global events
- Origin
- Viral internet theory
- Mentioned Source
- X account: Pentagon Pizza Report
- Historical Context
- Soviet operatives monitored pizza orders during the Cold War.
- Early Example
- CIA ordering 21 pizzas before the Gulf War in 1990