Corpus Linguistics​

This study explores how the prominence of “Pizza Hut” and “Chipotle” in American discourse has evolved over time, reflecting shifts in consumer preferences and dining habits. Using COCA, we tracked the frequency of each brand’s mention from the 1990s to the 2020s, analyzing trends in usage over decade periods. This revealed that Pizza Hut has stayed relatively the same in mentions since the 1990s, reflecting a control in society for traditional dine-in pizza chains. This is highlighted in the overall trend of Pizza Hut were in the 1990’s there was 142 texts and in 2020 there was 153 texts, therefore Pizza Hut only saw a 11-text increase over the course of decades. Whereas, Chipotle saw a steady rise, particularly in the 2000s and 2010s, corresponding with the growth of fast-casual dining and more health-conscious food choices. Chipotle grew from only 56 texts in the 1990’s but grew significantly to 355 texts by 2020. Thus, the data suggests a broader cultural shift toward fast-casual dining over traditional fast-food pizza chains. Chipotle’s rise aligns with trends favoring healthier, customizable food options. The contrasting trajectories of these brands highlight the evolving landscape of American dining, where convenience and health-focused choices shape consumer behavior.