Just in time for World Vegan Month in November, NYPD Pizza is excited to announce the debut of The Veganizza, a specialty vegan pizza made with Daiya dairy-free cheese and topped with spinach, garlic, Roma tomatoes, and fresh basil.

Daiya cheese is now available for all pizzas on its expansive menu at no additional cost.  

“We are committed to creating menu options that appeal to every person’s preference, lifestyle, and diet,” says Richard Stark, CEO of NYPD Pizza. “With the growing demand for healthful vegan and gluten-free options, we have tailored our menu to accommodate every taste.”

This summer, NYPD Pizza challenged its Facebook fans to originate a name for the new vegan pizza. With much fanfare, a local Phoenix resident named the pie, The Veganizza. Next month, The Veganizza will be an exclusive national trademark of Ziegler’s NYPD.

In addition to its vegan menu, NYPD Pizza has rolled out its gluten-free menu to eight of its 10 store locations by the end of this year (the Camelback and the Sky Harbor International Airport locations in Phoenix are set for a later date).

The food is prepared in dedicated gluten-free ovens. The gluten-free menu features 12-inch pizzas with an assortment of toppings, Broadway Bruschetta, and Spinach Artichoke Dip.

“We recognize the need for a healthy alternative for those seeking a gluten-free or vegan-friendly restaurant in the Valley,” Stark adds.

This year, the Vegetarian Resource Group commissioned a national survey to evaluate the increased number of vegetarians and vegans in the United States. The survey concluded that the number of vegetarians in the United States was about 4 percent, or 9 million adults, 2 million of which were vegans.  

The report also found that Western United States had the highest percentage of vegetarians and vegans.

The heightened awareness for Veganism may be attributed to recent vegan celebrity converts like Usher, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, and President Bill Clinton.