Late last Friday night, a notable surge in pizza demand was observed around the Pentagon, while local bars remained unusually quiet. This seemingly trivial observation has been a surprisingly reliable indicator for the past 40 years.
The phenomenon, known as the “Pizza Meter,” suggests a correlation between increased pizza orders and significant political or military events. It was first identified by Frank Meeks, the owner of a Domino’s Pizza franchise in Washington, D.C. He noticed that pizza orders would spike before major announcements from the White House. Economists and intelligence experts took note, finding it to be a useful, if unconventional, predictor of impending news.
Even Soviet intelligence reportedly used the “Pizza Meter” to monitor CIA activity, noting extended working hours as a sign of crisis management. This was detailed by Mark Lowenthal, an expert in intelligence and national security, in his book “Intelligence: A Political Secret.”
According to those who track this indicator, it appears that individuals involved in sensitive government operations were busy last Friday night. When employees from places like the White House and the Pentagon work late, they often order pizza from nearby restaurants, indicating they are engrossed in critical matters.
While the “Pizza Meter” might be seen as unscientific and occasionally taken lightly, it has consistently proven accurate in the past. Many believe it has never been wrong.
In the past few hours, numerous Arab and foreign countries, including Italy, the United States, France, and Sweden, have issued urgent evacuation calls for their citizens in Lebanon and Iran. These advisories come amid growing concerns about the potential escalation of conflict in the Middle East.