Antico Pizza Napoletana introduced Antico Casa frozen pizza at more than 80 Costco locations across the Southeast. The two-pack includes one Margherita variety made with bufala mozzarella, tomato, fresh basil, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil, bringing the Atlanta chain’s Neapolitan-style offering to a retail format.
Founded in 2009 by Giovanni “Gio” Di Palma, Antico Pizza Napoletana has received three Michelin Bib Gourmand distinctions and serves more than a dozen specialty pizzas at its restaurants. The company began selling the frozen Margherita through Costco in February 2026 and is looking to expand the range with additional varieties. For shoppers, the product offers a restaurant-inspired Margherita in a convenient frozen format, although some customer reviews note a higher crust-to-topping ratio than the restaurant version.
The launch reflects restaurant brands moving into packaged retail products, allowing Antico to reach consumers beyond its physical locations while using Costco distribution to test demand before expanding the portfolio.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Cris Canton
What's Driving This Trend
- Restaurant-branded Frozen Meals
- Established dining concepts are translating signature menu items into freezer-aisle products, creating room for premium at-home formats that extend brand reach beyond physical locations.
- Regional Cuisine Retail Expansion
- Local food brands with strong culinary identities are using national and regional retailers to scale distinctive flavors while preserving a sense of authenticity.
- Premium Convenience Foods
- Higher-quality ingredients and chef-inspired recipes are reshaping frozen food expectations as consumers seek restaurant-style meals with minimal preparation.
Who This Affects Most
- Frozen Food
- The category is evolving through upscale, restaurant-led products that differentiate from conventional frozen meals with provenance, specialty ingredients, and branded storytelling.
- Foodservice
- Restaurants are finding new revenue pathways in consumer packaged goods, where loyal customers can purchase familiar flavors outside traditional dining occasions.
- Wholesale Retail
- Warehouse clubs are becoming testbeds for premium regional food launches, offering brands broad exposure and consumer feedback before wider distribution.
