The rising demand for pizza in Saudi Arabia is closely related to rising internet access and consumer expenditure. Furthermore, the tremendous impact of Western culture, particularly in the food industry, contributes to the rise in pizza popularity in Saudi Arabia. As modernization influences the Saudi eating patterns, an increasing number of people are choosing for pizza from foreign restaurant franchises. The fast growth in internet usage in Saudi Arabia (about 94 percent of total Saudi population) has led in the easy availability of utilizing the internet to buy food through the digital channels.
Many new local brands have also begun to invest in pizzas by adding local flavors and tailoring the taste to meet the demands of the customers. One such pizza is the Arabesque chicken variation, which was created by a local Saudi based company. This pizza is distinctive in that it incorporates sumac powder, cucumber pickled slices, and a unique Arabic sauce that is popular in Saudi Arabia. The sumac powder gives the pizza a tangy, red tart flavor. This powder is used as a seasoning in many Middle Eastern recipes to provide a tangy, lemony flavor. Cucumber pickled slices may also be found in several classic Arab fast foods, such the Falafel sandwich, Mezze, Shawarma, and a variety of Salads. The average calorie count per slice of thin crust Arabesque chicken is 98. Personally, I enjoy the tangy flavor of this pizza with grilled chicken and Arabic sauce. In my neighborhood, there are several local eateries that serve various variations of this pizza. The Arabic sauce formula, like the Big Mac sauce recipe, is protected as a trade secret and is known only to a small number of persons who are closely connected to the restaurant chain. This specific restaurant chain is well-known, and it is credited with pioneering the customized form of Arabesque Pizza to Saudi Arabia.